KR100609165B1 - Multimedia content record/play device being capable of classified management by user - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention divides a user into a general user and an administrator, and grants the user registered as an administrator the authority to restrict some functions among the overall functions such as reception / play / save / delete of multimedia data. The present invention relates to a multimedia content recording and reproducing apparatus that can be efficiently used by a large number of users by managing a list.

According to the present invention, there is provided a multimedia content recording and reproducing apparatus for each user, comprising: a user authentication unit for processing authentication using user authentication information; Administrator authentication unit for processing the authentication using the authentication information for the administrator; A restriction information setting unit configured to receive user information from the authenticated administrator to create / change / delete a user list, and to receive and store one or more information of reproduction restriction information, storage restriction information, and search restriction information for each user; And retrieving means for retrieving stored multimedia contents, reproducing means for reproducing received or stored multimedia contents, or storing means for storing or deleting multimedia contents according to the stored restriction information when the authenticated user instructs a predetermined operation. It characterized in that it comprises a control unit for operating.

Description

Multimedia content record / play device being capable of classified management by user}

1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the components of a multimedia content recording and reproducing apparatus which can be managed by a user according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the components of the information processing unit provided in the multimedia content recording and playback apparatus which can be managed for each user according to the present invention.

Figure 3a is a data table schematically showing the data configuration of the storage means provided in the multimedia content recording and playback apparatus which can be managed for each user according to the present invention.

Fig. 3B is a data table schematically showing a data structure of restriction information according to the present invention.

3C is a data table schematically showing a data structure of log information according to the present invention.

3D is a data table schematically showing a data structure of shared data information according to the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for main parts of drawing>

100: multimedia content recording and playback device that can be managed by user

105: synchronizer 110: signal processor

115: demultiplexer 120: screen processing unit

125: control unit 130: external input unit

135: user interface 140: storage means

150: search unit 160: playback unit

170: storage management unit 180: information processing unit

181: user authentication module 182: shared data configuration module

183: restriction information setting module 184: log processing module

185: administrator authentication module

The present invention relates to a multimedia content recording and reproducing apparatus such as a digital broadcast receiving apparatus.

Recently, products that combine a mass storage means such as a HDD (Hard Disc Drive) or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) device with a multimedia content recording and playback device have been released one after another.

Such multimedia content recording and reproducing apparatus may be a digital broadcasting receiver such as a digital TV (HDTV), a digital TV set-top box system, a private video recorder (PVR), and the like. One digital broadcast receiver has a built-in tuner. The tuner is connected to the antenna or cable receiver and allows you to see the particular channel you want to watch.

The digital broadcasting receiver having such a mass storage means can receive and reproduce signals transmitted from satellites as well as recording and reproducing analog broadcasting and digital broadcasting.

In addition, the digital broadcast receiver may store a digital broadcast or analog audio / video (A / V) signal in the form of a compressed digital signal stream on the HDD or reproduce the signal stream stored in the HDD.

Such digital broadcast receivers store terrestrial broadcasts or wired broadcasts in their own built-in storage means, or memory card interworking devices (sometimes referred to as "EPFs") that are currently attracting many people's attention. In addition, AV data can be stored directly from the outside. For these reasons, digital broadcasting receivers are expected to be used in various ways in real life, and thus the functions required by users are expected to increase. For example, if a digital broadcast receiver is used, video-on-demand (VOD), internet surfing, network games, video home shopping, and the like can be used through interactive data as well as broadcasting.

In particular, as storage and management of large-capacity broadcast data becomes possible, broadcast data needs to be managed for each user. For example, a digital broadcasting receiver provided in a home may include movies, education, hobbies, entertainment, etc. according to family members. Frequently stored and managed by genre.

Such broadcast management is usually given a password, so that restrictions such as viewing restrictions are applied to each user. For example, in the case of drama, the ratings are divided by age, and parents can set the viewing restrictions according to the children's age. will be.

Management functions such as parental control are currently limited to terrestrial broadcasting or cable broadcasting, and user management policies on overall functions such as searching, storing, and playing multimedia data are insufficient to meet user needs. There is not enough.

In other words, as functions become more diverse, there are cases in which some functions need to be restricted according to users, and a necessity of checking log information on how users are utilized is raised. However, the conventional multimedia contents recording and reproducing apparatus is not designed in consideration of a large number of users, and thus does not provide various management functions for each user.

Accordingly, the present invention divides a user into a general user and an administrator, and gives a user registered as an administrator the authority to restrict some functions among functions such as reception, playback, storage, and deletion of user-specific multimedia data. It is an object of the present invention to provide a multimedia content recording and reproducing apparatus that can be efficiently used by a plurality of users in response to various functions by managing a user list.

In addition, the present invention is to ensure that the personal information is protected by setting various usage rights according to each user, to set the usage rights by time, function, and user to be used efficiently, and to log the information used by the user It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for recording and reproducing a multimedia content that can be easily managed and used.

In order to achieve the above object, the multimedia content recording and reproducing apparatus for user management according to the present invention comprises a user authentication unit for processing authentication using user authentication information; Administrator authentication unit for processing the authentication using the authentication information for the administrator; A restriction information setting unit configured to receive user information from the authenticated administrator to create / change / delete a user list, and to receive and store one or more information of reproduction restriction information, storage restriction information, and search restriction information for each user; And retrieving means for retrieving stored multimedia contents, reproducing means for reproducing received or stored multimedia contents, or storing means for storing or deleting multimedia contents according to the stored restriction information when the authenticated user instructs a predetermined operation. It characterized in that it comprises a control unit for operating.

In addition, the multimedia content recording and reproducing apparatus for each user according to the present invention records the operation of the search means, the playback means and the storage means for each time, and a log for providing the recorded operation information to the authenticated administrator Further comprising a processing unit.

The restriction information setting unit of the multimedia content recording and reproducing apparatus which can be managed for each user according to the present invention receives and stores usage time restriction information for each user, and the controller indicates that the current time is determined when the user instructs a predetermined operation. It is characterized by operating the searching means, the reproducing means or the storing means by determining whether the user is allowed to use the time.

In addition, the playback restriction information of the multimedia content recording and playback apparatus which can be managed for each user according to the present invention includes channel restriction information for each user, and the control unit selects a predetermined channel and instructs the operation of the playback means. If so, it is determined whether the channel is permitted to the user, and the reproducing means is operated.

The storage restriction information of the multimedia content recording and reproducing apparatus which can be managed for each user according to the present invention includes storage capacity allocation information for each user, and the control unit is for each user if the user instructs the operation of the storage means. The storage means is operated by checking the allocated storage capacity.

The storage restriction information of the multimedia content recording and reproducing apparatus which can be managed for each user according to the present invention includes storage permission information for each user according to the grade of the multimedia content, and the controller controls the operation of the storage means by the user. If instructed, the storage means is operated when the grade of the multimedia content to be stored and the storage permission information match.

Hereinafter, a multimedia content recording and reproducing apparatus which can be managed for each user according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The multimedia content recording and reproducing apparatus may be a personal video recorder (PVR), a digital TV, or the like. It is assumed that it is a digital broadcasting receiver such as a DTV STB system.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing the components of a multimedia content recording and reproducing apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as "the multimedia content recording and reproducing apparatus according to the present invention") 100 that can be managed by a user according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is also.

Referring to FIG. 1, the multimedia content recording and reproducing apparatus 100 according to the present invention includes a synchronizer 105, a signal processor 110, a demultiplexer 115, a screen processor 120, an external input unit 130, and a user. The interface 135, the controller 125, the searcher 150, the playback unit 160, the storage management unit 170, the information processing unit 180, and the storage unit 140 are configured.

First, the synchronizer 105 detects a synchronization signal of a multimedia content broadcast signal received through an antenna and transmits the synchronization signal to the signal processor 110.

The signal processor 110 classifies the digital broadcast signal and the analog broadcast signal according to the detected synchronization signal, and demodulates the digital broadcast signal by VSB (Vestigial Side Band).

The signal processor 110 decodes the analog broadcast signal by NTSC (National Television Standards Committee) and then performs MPEG encoding.

In this way, when the broadcast signal is converted into AV (Audio / Video) data, the demultiplexer 115 performs transport stream (DSM) demuxing to process demultiplexing of the AV data, and demultiplexes the AV data. Transfer to the screen processing unit 120.

The screen processor 120 outputs an analog broadcast signal or amplifies and decodes a digital broadcast signal, and outputs the screen. In this case, the screen processor 120 reconfigures the screen according to the information set through the user interface 135.

For example, the screen processor 120 provides a picture in picture (PIP) function to simultaneously output a plurality of channels, and overlaps and displays a user interface 135 menu on a broadcast screen.

The external input unit 130 receives AV data (multimedia content) from a portable storage device such as a memory card or a computer equipped with a hard disk and transmits the received AV data (multimedia content) to the storage management unit 170.

On the other hand, the user operates a shortcut key on the remote control or a menu provided by the user interface 135 to communicate with the control unit 125, the control unit 125 transmits the control signal to the search unit 150, the playback unit ( 160, the storage management unit 170 and the information processing unit 180 are operated.

The storage manager 170 generates search information of the AV data transmitted from the signal processor 110 or the AV data transmitted from the external input unit 130 and stores the search information with the AV data. And representative frame (thumbnail image) and PSIP (Program System Information Protocol) information. In addition, the storage manager 170 may delete the stored AV data according to a control signal.

The search unit 150 provides a thumbnail image of the AV data as a recording list or receives the keyword of the PSIP information to search for the corresponding AV data. In this case, the user interface 135 selects one of the AVs on the recording list. When data is selected, a pop-up menu is sequentially provided to receive additional selection information.

The playback unit 160 plays the AV data or the channel-set AV data searched in conjunction with the search unit 150 and the user interface 135. The playback unit 160 transmits a playback selection signal to the control unit 125 to transmit the signal selection unit. 110, the demultiplexer 115 and the screen processor 120 are operated.

The information processing unit 180 operates the search unit 150, the playback unit 160, and the storage management unit 170 based on the user information including the authentication information for the user and the administrator information including the authentication information for the administrator. Set the restriction information associated with the control unit, and the control unit 125 controls the search unit 150, the reproduction unit 160, and the storage management unit 170 based on the restriction information.

The configuration and operation of the information processing unit 180 and the storage unit 140 will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the components of the information processing unit 180 included in the multimedia content recording and reproducing apparatus 100 which can be managed for each user according to the present invention. FIG. 3A is a management for each user according to the present invention. Is a data table schematically showing the data configuration of the storage means 140 provided in the multimedia content recording and reproducing apparatus 100.

3B is a data table schematically showing the data structure of the restriction information according to the present invention, FIG. 3C is a data table schematically showing the data structure of the log information according to the present invention, and FIG. Data table schematically showing a data structure of shared data information.

Referring to FIG. 2, the information processor 180 includes a user authentication module 181, an administrator authentication module 185, a restriction information setting module 183, a log processing module 184, and a shared data setting module 182. Before describing each component module of the information processing unit 180, the data stored in the storage means 140 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3D.

First, according to FIG. 3A, manager information (A) and user information (B) are largely recorded in the storage means 140. The manager information (A) and user information (B) may be provided in plural numbers.

For example, a person registered as the administrator may be authorized to create / change / delete the user information B, and the administrator himself may also be registered as a user to manage various information as a user.

The administrator information (A) includes administrator personal information (A1) such as a name, administrator authentication information (A2) such as a password, and the like. The user information (B) includes user personal information (C), user authentication information, and restriction information. (E), log information (F), shared data information (G), and multimedia content (H) selected and stored by the user.

Referring to FIG. 3B, the restriction information E is divided into reproduction restriction information E1, storage restriction information E2, search restriction information E3, usage time restriction information E4, and the like. Means information required for placing a functional restriction for each user in using the multimedia content recording and reproducing apparatus 100 according to the present invention.

The reproduction restriction information E1 may generally include channel restriction information e1. Here, as described above, the AV data stored or received has various additional information such as PSIP information, EPG (Electronic Program Guide) information, and the like, and among them, viewer restriction grade information. Therefore, the channel restriction information e1 is set for each user, and thus, for example, the restriction information may be set to prevent the child from watching the adult broadcasting channel.

For reference, the AV data (multimedia content) referred to in the present invention is a broad concept including airborne broadcast data, satellite broadcast data, data acceptable to a storage medium such as VOD, network online game data, stream data via the Internet, and the like. Note that it is used as.

In addition, the storage restriction information E2 includes storage capacity allocation information e2 and storage permission information e3. The administrator may preset the storage space of the storage means 140 for each user in advance. Means to assign to.

For example, more storage space available to an adult user may be allocated than a child with a relatively low use amount. By using the storage permission information (e3), the administrator designates the type of AV data periodically received according to the channel in advance, so that some users can store it so that it cannot be played using other external playback means. ) Function can be closed.

Subsequently, the search restriction information E3 means that the AV data is designated for each user so as to provide a hiding function when the recording is searched through the search unit 150.

The use time restriction information E4 means that the use time of the multimedia content recording and reproducing apparatus 100 according to the present invention is allocated to the users for each time zone. That is, when the usage time limit information E4 is set for each predetermined time period by setting a period, the user can use the multimedia content recording and reproducing apparatus 100 according to the present invention only for a time allocated to the user.

According to FIG. 3C, data related to log information F is illustrated, and log information F means usage record information of the multimedia content recording and reproducing apparatus 100 according to the present invention. In other words, information is stored in the storage means 140, such as when (F2) which user (F2), what kind of program (F3) how to use (manipulation) (F4).

The shared data information G illustrated in FIG. 3D will be described below. As described above, when the multimedia content recording and reproducing apparatus 100 according to the present invention is used, the administrator can determine the type of multimedia content H that can be processed by each user and the type of data processing (for example, data reproduction, search, Storage, deletion, etc.), and each user G1 may store the specific multimedia content H in his or her storage space accordingly.

Here, the user G1 has a right to share his or her multimedia contents H stored in this way with others, and the related data is the shared data information G. That is, the shared data information (G) means how the authenticated user will share the multimedia content (H) stored by him or her with the other user (G4) by type (G2) (for example, as playable information (g1)). Information such as sharing (g2) as searchable information, or sharing (g3) as recordable information).

According to FIG. 3D, the second user can search for the location of "movie ABC" in the multimedia content (program) H recorded by the first user, search for "education ABC" and copy it to his storage space. Can be regenerated

Subsequently, an operation of each component module included in the information processing unit 180 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. As described above, the information processing unit 180 receives data and uses a template set in advance and standardized to construct and manage a database in the storage means 140.

In particular, in order for a user to manage various subdivided restriction information E as described above through the restriction information setting module 183, information must be directly input / modified / deleted, and such a management process will be quite inconvenient and cumbersome. . Accordingly, the restriction information setting module 183 generates / manages each template according to the characteristics of the user and dynamically sets the user-specific restriction information E in order to reduce such inconvenience.

In this case, the information processing unit 180 interlocks with the user interface 135 to allow a user or an administrator to input / modify / delete information through an input menu.

The user authentication module 181 processes the authentication using the authentication information for the user, and if the authentication is normally processed, the user authentication module 181 transfers the authentication result to the controller 125.

The controller 125 accesses the restriction information E, the shared data information G, etc. of the authenticated user from the storage means 140 and temporarily stores them in the memory. Accordingly, when the user instructs a predetermined operation through the user interface 135, the data of the memory is read and the enable signal is quickly sent to the search unit 150, the playback unit 160, and the storage management unit 170. Alternatively, the information processing unit 180 or the like is operated.

In addition, the user authentication module 181 may change the data of the storage means 140 by receiving user detailed information such as authentication information, human information, etc. from the authenticated user. However, the restriction information E and the log information F cannot be managed by the user.

If the user authenticated through the user authentication module 181 is registered as an administrator, the administrator authentication module 185 receives authentication information from the administrator and compares the stored authentication information with the administrator's authentication information to process authentication. That is, the administrator goes through two authentications using the user authentication information and the administrator authentication information.

The restriction information setting module 183 constructs a database by receiving user personal information (C) and user authentication information (D) from the authenticated administrator, and reproduces restriction information (E1) and storage restriction information (for each user). E2), the search restriction information E3 and the usage time restriction information E4 are received and stored.

When the authenticated user instructs a predetermined operation, the controller 125 determines whether the current time is the allowed time for use by the user, and if the authorized time is used, the user records the multimedia content according to the present invention. Make 100 available.

However, when the allowed usage time ends, the controller 125 terminates all predetermined operation processes and waits until another user is authenticated without responding to the user's operation instruction.

When the user selects a predetermined channel and instructs the operation of the playback means, the controller 125 determines whether the channel is permitted to the user using channel restriction information e1, and if the channel is permitted, enables The signal is transmitted to the reproducing means. Reproducing means receiving the enable signal reproduces the multimedia content of the channel.

In addition, when the user wants to store the received multimedia content, the controller 125 checks the storage capacity allocated to each user by using the storage restriction information, and determines whether the multimedia content is data that is not allowed to be stored. .

That is, the controller 125 may read the PSIP information described in the multimedia content to limit the viewing grade to the storage permission information (for example, the second user may store only the multimedia content corresponding to the audience under 15). If it matches (e3) and the storage space is larger than the capacity of the multimedia content, the enable signal is transmitted to the storage management unit 170. The storage manager 170 stores the received multimedia content.

As shown in FIG. 3C, the log processing module 184 includes a type of the multimedia content H processed by a request of an authenticated user, the search unit 150, the playback unit 160, and the storage management unit 170. And records the operation of each time) and provides the recorded operation information to the authenticated administrator.

As shown in FIG. 3D, the shared data setting module 182 selects one or more multimedia contents H among the multimedia contents H stored by the authenticated user and designates them as shared data.

Therefore, when another authenticated user instructs a predetermined operation, the controller 125 operates the searcher 150, the playback unit 160, or the storage management unit 170 to designate the multimedia content designated as the shared data. (H) Search, play or copy.

The present invention has been described above with reference to the preferred embodiments, which are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains do not depart from the essential characteristics of the present invention. It will be appreciated that various modifications and applications are not possible that are not illustrated above. For example, each component specifically shown in the embodiment of the present invention can be modified. And differences relating to such modifications and applications will have to be construed as being included in the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.

According to the multimedia content recording and reproducing apparatus which can be managed for each user according to the present invention, since it is operated as set in advance for each time, function, and user, the utilization can be increased and personal information can be protected.

In addition, according to the present invention, by granting usage rights for each user, it is possible to prevent the multimedia content recording and reproducing apparatus from being inappropriately used by an ineligible person. It is effective to manage the stored data efficiently.

Claims (9)

A user authentication unit configured to process authentication using user authentication information; Administrator authentication unit for processing the authentication using the authentication information for the administrator; A restriction information setting unit configured to receive user information from the authenticated administrator to create / change / delete a user list, and to receive and store one or more information of reproduction restriction information, storage restriction information, and search restriction information for each user; And If the authenticated user instructs a predetermined operation, search means for searching stored multimedia contents, reproducing means for playing received or stored multimedia contents, or storing means for storing or deleting multimedia contents are operated according to the stored restriction information. A multimedia content recording and reproducing apparatus for each user, characterized in that it comprises a control unit. The method of claim 1, And a log processing unit for recording the operations of the searching means, the reproducing means and the storing means by time, and providing the recorded operation information to the authenticated administrator. Playback device. The method of claim 1, The restriction information setting unit receives and stores usage time restriction information for each user, If the user instructs a predetermined operation, the control unit determines whether the current time is the use time allowed for the user to operate the search means, the playback means or the storage means for each user, characterized in that Multimedia content recording and playback device. The method of claim 1, The reproduction restriction information includes channel restriction information for each user, If the user selects a predetermined channel and instructs the operation of the playback means, the controller determines whether the channel is permitted to the user and operates the playback means. Record and playback device. The method of claim 1, wherein the restriction information setting unit And a respective template for dynamically creating / modifying / deleting the restriction information for each user. The method of claim 1, The storage limit information includes storage allocation information for each user, And the controller checks the storage capacity allocated to each user when the user instructs the operation of the storage means to operate the storage means. The method of claim 1, The storage restriction information includes storage permission information for each user according to the grade of the multimedia content. When the user instructs the operation of the storage means, the control unit for the user to manage the multimedia content, characterized in that for operating the storage means if the grade of the multimedia content to be stored and the storage permission information match. . The method of claim 1, wherein the user authentication unit And receiving user detailed information including authentication information and personal information from an authenticated user and changing the user list. The method of claim 1, And a shared data setting unit for selecting one or more multimedia contents among the multimedia contents stored by the authenticated user and designating them as shared data. If another authenticated user instructs a predetermined operation, the controller operates the search means, the playback means, or the storage means to search, play, or store the multimedia content designated as the shared data. Multimedia content recording and playback device that can be managed by stars.

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