WO2023048590A1 - System and method for creating a virtual channel - Google Patents

Abstract

Claimed is a system for a virtual channel service, comprising a transmit side and a receive (client) side of a satellite broadcasting system, which is additionally equipped with means for creating virtual channels of the service, wherein an EPG server is equipped with means for generating metadata for virtual channels and scheduling virtual channels by compiling a selection of content events from linear broadcasting channels, said events being selected according to predetermined criteria for each virtual channel and broadcast consecutively within the framework of the virtual channels of the service, with each event in the selection being assigned an identifier of the corresponding virtual channel and a note indicating the use of the event within said virtual channel, and a CAS conditional access subsystem is equipped with means for generating control words encrypted with session keys, as well as ECM and EMM messages containing same, for each linear and virtual channel of the service system, or groups thereof, wherein the same content event broadcast by different channels is encrypted with a common control word encrypted with different session keys for each linear and virtual channel or groups thereof.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FORMING A VIRTUAL CHANNEL

Description of the invention

Purpose and scope

The group of inventions relates to the field of satellite broadcasting and can be used in its organization and creation of dedicated "virtual" television channels.

Prior Art

Digital television systems are often characterized by the presence of a large number of mainly audiovisual channels, which the user can switch and display as desired (provided that he has the appropriate access rights to each channel). Therefore, the choice of a variety of materials that can be viewed at any time is very extensive, which provides the user with the opportunity to a certain extent to personalize television "for themselves." However, for most users, keeping track of all the material offered, classifying it precisely according to their tastes, and scheduling ("programming") the output of programs of interest to them is either too difficult or not in line with their inclinations.

In addition, broadcast advertisements, which are a significant (and often vital) source of income for a broadcaster, tend to be of interest to only a relatively small portion of television viewers. At the same time, targeted delivery of advertising materials to the appropriate target groups is often difficult (and in most conventional digital television systems is completely impossible) and inefficient.

US20060156341 (Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, 2005) discloses a device solution for generating a virtual channel, comprising a virtual channel setting module for setting any one channel of a plurality of channels as a virtual channel per user; and a virtual channel processing unit for registering a program selected by a user who has set the virtual channel in a list of programs associated with the virtual channel. A virtual channel can be set for each user so that a program of every taste can be viewed, even if multiple users use the same TV, with minimal manual input required via the remote control or the TV's built-in selection buttons.

US20040205815 (Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC) discloses a solution whereby, in an implementation, a virtual channel is associated with each of one or more recorded programs. A virtual channel preview guide is generated to display various virtual channels and their associated recorded programs. When a virtual channel is selected, a preview of the recorded program associated with the virtual channel starts. In another implementation, the virtual channel preview guide includes program identifiers each corresponding to a recorded program and includes virtual channel identifiers each associated with a different program identifier. The VC Preview Guide also includes a selectable control, such as a program ID or VC ID, that can be selected to launch a preview of the recorded program. In addition, the Virtual Channel Preview Guide includes a preview to display a preview of the recorded program.

The closest to the solution under study is the technology for forming user channels disclosed in patent publication US20090320072 (Microsoft Corporation, 2008). The technology is a system and method for generating a virtual channel in an electronic program guide. The scheduling commands, which are user-configurable, specify the content to be presented for selection in the virtual channel. Scheduling instructions are executed in order of priority. The virtual channel is populated with content descriptions based on the execution of scheduling instructions. After the virtual channel is initially filled with content, broadcast gaps are defined in the virtual channel. In one embodiment, each broadcast interval is populated with different content based on a broadcast interval setting set by the user. In another embodiment, each broadcast interval remains an empty schedule entry in the virtual channel.

Among the disadvantages of the above analogues and the prototype should include the need for the formation and use of a virtual channel to increase the used transponder capacity, organize the recording of the content of the virtual channel and the presence of an additional storage device for storing the recorded content, as well as the need for full descrambling of the content reproduced as part of the virtual channel , both within the virtual channel and outside it. In addition, the known solutions are built, for the most part, based on the user's preferences, i.e. formed on the client device, which complicates the process of forming this kind of individual channel, and also reduces the protection of the recorded content. Thus, the known solutions for organizing a virtual channel require significant complication of the broadcasting system while reducing the level of content protection and increasing the risk of providing unauthorized access to programs of linear broadcast channels. The essence of the invention

The present invention is directed to eliminating the problems inherent in the prior art.

The technical result achieved by the claimed invention is the expansion of the operational capabilities of the broadcasting system, by expanding the capabilities of broadcasting content without increasing the transponder capacity and memory of the transmitting and client parts, while increasing the level of content protection

The claimed technical result is achieved by using a virtual channel provision service system, including a transmitting and receiving side, where the transmitting side includes at least an EPG server of an electronic television program guide, connected to each other and to the multiplexer, equipped with event scheduling tools. content of linear broadcast channels, and a CAS conditional access subsystem, including a conditional access server and an encrypting device, equipped with means for encrypting and providing access to the encrypted content of linear channels, and the multiplexer is equipped with means for generating a transport stream, including at least the content of linear broadcast channels, schedule of content events, commands for accessing encrypted content, and the receiving side includes a client device - a digital satellite receiver, equipped with means for receiving, processing transport stream data, and decrypting content, different based on the prototype in that it is additionally equipped with means for generating virtual channels of the service, moreover, the EPG server is additionally equipped with means for generating metadata of virtual channels, and schedules of virtual channels - in the form of a layout of a selection of content events of linear broadcast channels, selected according to criteria predefined for each virtual channel and broadcast in within the virtual channels of the service sequentially in time, with setting for each event of selecting the identifier of the corresponding virtual channel and marking the use of the event in its composition, and the CAS conditional access subsystem is equipped with means for generating control words encrypted with their session keys, as well as ECM and EMM messages containing them , for each linear and virtual channel of the service system or their group, moreover, the same content event broadcast by different channels is encrypted with a common control word encrypted with different session keys ami for each linear and virtual channel or their group.

In one embodiment of the proposed solution, the EPG server is preferably equipped with means for generating two types of service virtual channel metadata: basic metadata and additional metadata, where - the main metadata is the schedule of each of the virtual channels with a directory of virtual channels, where the schedule for each of the virtual channels consists of events broadcast as part of the linear broadcast channels, marked in a predetermined way when forming a selection of virtual channel events.

- additional metadata is graphical data, at least including a technological break banner set in pauses between adjacent broadcasts of virtual channel events, and a channel logo.

In yet another embodiment of the claimed invention, the main metadata of virtual channels contains event parameters, including description, start and end time of the event, parameters of the linear broadcast channel in the SNT transport stream on which the virtual channel event is broadcast, virtual channel identifier, and parameters of virtual channels, including the name of the virtual channel, position in the list of channels, links to each of the additional metadata files associated with the virtual channel.

Alternatively, the main virtual circuit service metadata may be generated for transmission as a data carousel stream, and additional metadata as an object carousel stream. Moreover, in the transport stream, the main metadata of the virtual channels of the service can be made in the form of a JSON file, additional metadata in the form of an archive file containing graphic data files.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the CAS may be configured to encrypt content according to the DVB CSA algorithm.

Alternatively, a separate PID packet may be allocated within the transport stream to broadcast the primary and secondary metadata of the service's virtual channels.

It is possible to implement the claimed invention, in which the metadata of virtual channels is made with the possibility of broadcasting in one service on one transponder, with the possibility of detecting a service with metadata in the transport stream by means of service information with a link to the service with virtual channels metadata, which is the Linkage descriptor added in a table of network information of the NIT flow with the possibility of providing a service of virtual channels to the end user without a user feedback channel.

It is also possible that the Linkage descriptor overhead information includes at least the SNT virtual circuit metadata broadcast parameters, the virtual circuit metadata service identifier, and the virtual circuit metadata format version.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the transport stream at the output of the multiplexer is an MPEG-2 transport stream and includes at least: linear broadcast channels, the content of which is also used in the virtual channels; basic and additional metadata of the virtual channels service; linkage handle; MPEG-2 service tables of the transport stream, including: PMT program structure tables; CAT table of conditional access; NIT network information table; TDT date and time table; BAT table of program groups.

It is also possible that, in any of the considered embodiments, the client device is made in the form of a digital satellite receiver equipped with at least a tuner/demodulator that receives the MPEG-2 transport stream input signal, a cryptomodule designed to enable decoding of the incoming encrypted transport stream, while the cryptomodule is equipped with a sectional filter for commands to set virtual channel rights, an EMM type handler for messages corresponding to the virtual channel and the ability to send a command to set the rights and session keys of the virtual channel, as well as the main processor CPU, which processes data, providing the final to the user for audio-video output of the content of linear broadcast channels and virtual service channels in the user interface module.

It is also possible that, in any of the considered embodiments, the client device is made in the form of a digital satellite receiver equipped with at least a tuner/demodulator that receives an MPEG-2 transport stream input signal, a main processor CPU made with providing the ability to decrypt the incoming encrypted transport stream by means of the built-in security system, and carrying out data processing, providing the end user with audio-video output channel content in the user interface module, while the CPU is equipped with a sectional filter for virtual channel rights setting commands, an EMM message handler, corresponding to the virtual channel and the ability to send a command to set the rights and session keys of the virtual channel.

The claimed technical result is also achieved by using a method for providing a virtual channel service to an end user, which includes successive stages, at which at least:

- forming a directory of virtual channels of the service, containing at least the name of the channel and the position number in the list of broadcast channels, and the schedule of events of the virtual channels of the service on the EPG server by arranging a selection of content events of the linear broadcast channels broadcast within the selected virtual service channel sequentially time and selected according to the criteria pre-set for each virtual channel, with setting for each event of the content of the selection of the identifier of the corresponding virtual channel and the mark of the use of the event in its composition, with the subsequent formation of metadata for each virtual channel, - receive and encrypt the control words generated by the scrambler of the conditional access subsystem, generate session keys and the ECM and EMM messages of the broadcast channels and virtual channels of the service system containing them, and the encryption of the same event broadcast by different channels is carried out with a common control word encrypted different session keys for each linear and virtual channel or their group, and transmit the metadata files of the virtual channels service to the input of the multiplexer, where they form a transport stream by embedding the service metadata into the transport stream of the content of the linear broadcast channels and transmit it to the input of the client device; receive the transport stream on the client device and process it, during which, at least, carry out the discovery of a service with metadata in the transport stream;

- carry out filtering and processing of EMM and ECM messages with commands for setting rights and session keys for accessing events included in virtual channels, as well as decrypting control words for decrypting content events included in virtual channels,

- obtaining metadata of virtual channels and adding virtual channels in the user interface of a digital satellite receiver;

- playback of the virtual channel content by automatically switching to a linear broadcast channel that broadcasts the content of the current event according to the schedule of the selected virtual channel, decoding the content of the linear broadcast channel broadcast as part of the selected virtual channel using control words in case of their successful decoding.

At the same time, in one preferred embodiment, at the stage of generating metadata of service virtual channels, the main and additional metadata are generated, where the main metadata of service virtual channels is a schedule of each of the virtual channels with a directory of virtual channels, and additional metadata is graphic data, according to at least including a technological break banner installed in the pauses between adjacent broadcasts of virtual channel events, and a channel logo.

In another embodiment, at the EPG server, the main and additional service virtual circuit metadata are formed into streams, where the main virtual circuit service metadata is formed as a data carousel stream and the additional metadata is formed as an object carousel stream.

In another embodiment of the invention, when forming an MPEG-2 transport stream by means of a multiplexer, additional service information is embedded in the transport stream subsequently transmitted to the input of the client device, which is a Linkage descriptor in the network information table (NIT), which provides dynamic discovery of the service metadata by the client device virtual channels in transport stream, and on the client device perform service discovery with metadata in the transport stream through the mentioned Linkage descriptor without a user feedback channel.

It is also possible that at the stage of playing the content event of the virtual channel, the main processor requests the cryptomodule to decrypt the content event after automatically switching to the corresponding linear broadcast channel that broadcasts the event as part of the virtual channel of the service, and the cryptomodule initiates a call to the smart card or the built-in smart card emulator as part of the cryptomodule, to decrypt the control word for decrypting the content of the linear broadcast channel as part of the virtual channel, configures the elementary streams of the transport stream for the descrambler according to the information received from the main processor according to the information from the PMT service table to receive ECM messages, and sets the control words received from the smart card or the built-in smart card emulator to the descrambler.

In another embodiment, decoding the corresponding content after automatic switching to a linear broadcast channel that broadcasts a content event as part of a virtual channel of the service, setting the elementary streams of the transport stream for the descrambler in accordance with the information of the PMT service table to receive ECM messages and setting control words in the descrambler carried out by the main processor, configured to decrypt the incoming encrypted stream through the built-in security system.

In another embodiment, with any embodiment of the claimed invention, when generating the schedule of virtual channels of the EPG service by the server, when the selection events for the virtual channel broadcast by different linear broadcast channels intersect in time, an event with an earlier broadcast time is added to the schedule, and for the time of no display events of linear broadcast channels, a technological event pre-installed in the service system is added to the schedule of the virtual channel.

At the same time, in a possible embodiment of the invention, in the virtual channel viewing mode, the CPU of the digital satellite receiver automatically switches on the broadcast of the content of the linear broadcast channel according to the schedule by switching to the linear broadcast channel according to the SNT parameters, if the current event is broadcast on the linear broadcast channel, or displays a banner, received as part of the virtual channel metadata, if the current event is a technological event.

It is obvious that both the previous general description and the following detailed description are given only for example and explanation and are not limitations of the claimed group of inventions. Any feature relating to one aspect of the invention may be applied to other aspects of the invention in any suitable combination. In particular, features of method aspects can be applied to system and device aspects, and vice versa.

Brief description of the drawings

Below, by way of illustrative examples only, preferred features of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings: FIG. 1 is a generalized diagram of a broadcast network; figure 2 - an example of the formation of the schedule with the installation of a mark technological break: a) one virtual channel; b) two virtual channels; fig.3 is a diagram of the components and the process of ensuring content protection; Fig. 4 is a generalized diagram of a client device; 5 shows a metadata file discovery process; Fig.6 - the operation of the service of virtual channels on the client device when interacting with the user; Fig.7 - switching according to the schedule of the virtual channel.

It should be noted that the accompanying drawings illustrate only a portion of some of the most preferred embodiments of the invention and should not be construed as limiting its scope, which includes other embodiments.

The feasibility of the invention.

The claimed group of inventions relates to the field of organizing satellite broadcasting, namely to a system and method for organizing a service for providing virtual, thematic channels to the end user.

As part of the description of the exemplary implementation of the claimed solution, the following terms and abbreviations are used:

AC (Access Criteria) - access criterion;

CAS (Conditional Access System) - access restriction system; SOD;

CW (Control Word) - control word;

CWG (Control Word Generator) - control word generator;

DVB (Common Scrambling Algorithm) - a single scrambling algorithm;

ECM (Entitlement Control Message) - a message that controls the access rights;

ECMG (Entitlement Control Message Generator) - ECM message generator;

EMM (Entitlement Management Message) - a message that grants access rights;

EMMG (Entitlement Management Message Generator) - EMM message generator;

ES (Elementary Stream) - an elementary stream of video data (sound data, special data) of digital broadcast television; MPEG (Motion Pictures Expert Group) - a group of video and audio data compression standards;

MUX (Multiplexer) - multiplexer;

PID (Packet Identifier) - packet type identifier;

SAS (Subscriber Authorization System) - a system for granting authorization to a subscriber (subscriber authorization system);

SCR (SCR DVB Compliant Scrambler) - scrambler, corresponding to DVB technology;

SMS (Subscriber Management System) - subscriber administration (management) system;

TS (Transport Stream) - digital broadcast television data transport stream; TP;

Access Criteria (AC) - information needed by the access right control message generator (ECMG) to generate an access right control message (ECM);

Multiplex (multiplex) - transport stream at the output of the transport multiplexer;

Multiplexer (multiplexer; MUX) - a device designed to combine several data streams of a digital television signal into a single stream with the addition of service bits;

Subscriber Administration (Management) System (Subscriber Management System; SMS) - a system for accounting information about subscribers, containing a database about subscribers, about subscribers' decoders, about services (services) subscribed to by subscribers, about settlements with subscribers and accounting for payments, coming from subscribers;

Scrambler (Scrambler; SCR) - a device designed to convert the structure of a digital telecommunication signal, without changing the symbol rate of this signal, in order to approximate its properties to those of a random signal;

Subscriber Authorization System (SAS) - a system that provides organization, ordering and delivery of data for the formation of messages that grant access rights (EMM) and ECM messages;

Control Word (Control Word; CW) - a data object used for scrambling (a low-level operational key that performs the process of scrambling and descrambling. CW changes at intervals of 0.5 to 10 s).

As shown in the diagrams of Fig. 1-7 exemplary implementation, the service system for providing virtual channels to the end user (virtual channels service) consists of functionally interconnected transmitting 1 (operator) and receiving 2 (client) sides, where the transmitting side includes 3 communication lines connected to each other and to the multiplexer an electronic program guide server 4 (EPG server) and a CAS conditional access subsystem 5 (CAS subsystem) including a server conditional access 6 CAS (CAS Server) and encryption device 7, in particular, as shown in the diagram of figure 1, a scrambler (Scrambler), equipped with means of encryption and providing access to the encrypted content of linear channels. As a receiving side, a client device is used - a digital satellite receiver 8 (set-top box, STB), equipped with at least a tuner/demodulator 9 (Tuner/Demodulator) that receives the MPEG-2 transport stream input signal and transmits it after processing to the input of the cryptomodule 10 (C AS modul) responsible for descrambling the incoming encoded stream, the input of which is connected to the input of the main processor AND (CPU), which processes data and transmits an audio-video signal presented to the end user by the user interface and channel content, to audio - video output. According to the claimed solution, the input of the EPG server is connected to external control systems, in particular, control of algorithms for implementing the claimed solution pre-installed in the memory of the EPG server by entering the necessary data by the operator, and/or head equipment systems in automatic mode. At the same time, one of the outputs of the EPG server is connected to the first input of the CAS subsystem, and the second one is connected to one of the inputs of the multiplexer. Audio/video content (content) of the satellite broadcasting system is fed to the second input of the CAS subsystem. As noted above, in the generalized scheme for implementing the proposed solution, shown in the diagram of figure 1, AS Server and the scrambler are connected to each other via a feedback line and are provided with outputs associated with the corresponding inputs of the multiplexer.

The functional connection between the transmitting and client part of the virtual circuit service provision system is provided by a data transmission channel, which is used as a satellite signal (Transport Stream), MPEG-2 transport stream (ISO / IEC standard 13818-1, ETSI TS 102 154), generated by a multiplexer transmitting side and received by the client device.

The modules, subsystems, equipment and hardware or structural elements and devices included in the virtual channel service system are equipped with hardware, structural and / or firmware tools that provide the functionality of the specified elements of the virtual channel service system according to the claimed solution. The specified constructive and hardware means do not go beyond the generally accepted design solutions of the specified elements of the system. At the same time, their functionality, directly or indirectly, being in the constructive or functional unity of the elements of the system, is regulated by the algorithms specified in the software and hardware way, pre-installed in the memory of the programmable hardware of the satellite broadcasting system to the end user, which control the hardware and constructive means of the virtual channel service system.

At the same time, the server of the electronic program of television programs EPG (EPG server; EPG server) as part of the transmitting side of the virtual channels is a server equipped with a memory block (not shown in the diagram) that initially stores the transmission schedule for all operator channels, and is equipped with the means of generating a schedule of events for the content of linear broadcast channels, metadata and a schedule of virtual service channels. Moreover, the schedule of each of the virtual channels of the service is formed in the form of a layout of a selection of events of the content of linear broadcast channels, selected according to the criteria pre-installed for each virtual channel and broadcast within the virtual channels of the service sequentially in time, with setting for each event of the selection of the identifier of the corresponding virtual channel and the mark using an event in its composition. To form the specified selection of events, the EPG server provides the formation of metadata of virtual channels, including basic data: their name, position in the general list of channels, broadcast schedule, as well as additional data, such as logos, icons of virtual channels and banners. At the same time, the EPG server also implements the formation and generation of metadata of services and carousels for broadcasting metadata.

The CAS subsystem of the transmitting side provides coding and provision of access to the encoded content of linear broadcast channels (linear channels) and virtual channels of the service, based on the schedule of virtual channels. The CAS subsystem includes a CAS server (CAS Server) and a scrambler (Scrambler) that encodes the content of linear channels. In addition, the CAS subsystem is equipped with means for generating control words encrypted with their session keys, as well as ECM and EMM messages containing them, for each linear and virtual channel of the service system or their group, and the same content event broadcast by different channels is performed an encrypted common control word encrypted with different session keys for each linear and virtual channel or group thereof.

The multiplexer (Multiplexer) of the transmitting part is equipped with means of forming a transport stream by embedding in it, at least, the content of linear broadcast channels, a schedule of content events, commands for accessing encrypted content. The multiplexer provides formation of the transport stream (Broadcast Stream) by embedding into the transport stream the media content coming to the input from the broadcast operator, the service metadata file, additional metadata, commands for accessing the encoded content, and additional service information. According to the claimed invention, the transport stream at the output of the multiplexer is preferably an MPEG-2 transport stream and includes at least: linear broadcast channels, the content of which is also used as part of virtual channels; basic and additional metadata of the virtual channels service; optionally, the Linkage handle; MPEG-2 service tables of the transport stream, including: PMT program structure tables; CAT table of conditional access; NIT network information table; TDT date and time table; BAT table of program groups. The receiving side of the claimed virtual channel service system, according to the presented embodiment, is equipped with a client device made in the form of a digital satellite receiver, equipped with at least a tuner/demodulator that receives an MPEG-2 transport stream input signal, a cryptomodule designed to provide the ability to decrypt the incoming encrypted transport stream. In one of the embodiments of the claimed invention, the cryptomodule is equipped with a sectional filter for setting virtual channel rights, an EMM type handler for messages corresponding to the virtual channel and the ability to send a command to set the rights and session keys of the virtual channel, as well as the main processor CPU that processes data, providing to the end user for audio-video output of the content of linear broadcast channels and virtual service channels in the user interface module. In another embodiment, the main CPU of the client device is configured to decrypt the incoming encrypted transport stream by means of an embedded security system and perform data processing that provides the end user with an audio-video output of the channel content in the user interface module, while the CPU is equipped with a sectional a filter for commands to set virtual channel rights, an EMM type handler for messages corresponding to a virtual channel, and the ability to send a command to set virtual channel rights and session keys.

The process of forming virtual channels of the service, according to the claimed invention, is carried out by sequentially performing the following steps of their formation, transmission and playback (broadcast).

At the first stage of the formation of virtual channels of the service, on the EPG server, equipped with the means for scheduling events of the content of linear broadcast channels, in the user interface in a hardware-software manner, by means of an operator or in automatic mode, a directory of virtual channels is formed containing at least basic data, including channel name and position number in the channel list, as well as additional, but not mandatory, data for each of the channels, for example, the channel logo for displaying it in the user interface module of the client device as a channel identification feature, a banner for displaying during technological breaks, for example , intended for its use when there is no linear channel broadcast in the virtual channel schedule. The directory of virtual channels is created, stored and edited exclusively on the EPG server. Its adjustment from the side of the client device is not available.

The formation of a selection of events that should be added to the schedule of the generated virtual channels can also be carried out in a hardware-software way, both manually and automatically. At the same time, as events (transmissions) as a unit of content of a linear and / or virtual channel, for example, films, advertising blocks, talk shows, cartoons, series, sports events, news, educational and/or educational programs, static images, etc. As a unit of the schedule, any event is characterized by the date and time of its beginning and end, as well as a set of metadata pointing to the original broadcast channel in the system.

The formation of a selection of virtual channel events by the operator is manually carried out in accordance with the selection by the software and hardware image of events corresponding to the subject of the virtual channel specified by the operator, or, for example, based on the results of analysis of content consumption. According to the provided selection of transmissions of linear channels, by means of the web interface, for the corresponding event, a mark is set for the use of this event as part of a virtual channel and the identifier of a specific virtual channel, in the schedule of which the event should be added. In this case, the same event can be marked for adding to the schedule of several planned virtual channels. In turn, the automatic formation of a selection does not require the direct participation of the operator, information about the transfers is added to the metadata file in a hardware-software way automatically, based on the results of searching for events in the web interface according to predefined criteria. The search is carried out according to the specified parameters in the appropriate form of the EPG server web interface. For example, specific linear channels, event genres, keywords, and the like can be used as parameters for generating a selection of events.

After completion of the generation of the schedule on the EPG server, the generation of metadata is initiated by selecting in the user interface of the EPG server the appropriate algorithm pre-installed in the software and hardware way and based on the data pre-installed or manually specified by the operator. The EPG server is equipped with the means of generating, based on the specified algorithm, two types of metadata of virtual service channels: basic metadata and additional metadata, where

- the main metadata is the schedule of each of the virtual channels with a directory of virtual channels, where the schedule for each of the virtual channels consists of events broadcast as part of the linear broadcast channels, marked in a predetermined way when forming a selection of virtual channel events.

- additional metadata is graphic data, at least including a technological break banner set in pauses between adjacent broadcasts of virtual channel events, and a channel logo, etc. additional information perceived as a splash screen or a static image (logo).

At the same time, the main metadata at least contains event parameters, including description, start and end time of the event, parameters of the linear broadcast channel in the SNT transport stream (Service ID, Network ID, Transport Stream ID), on which the event of the virtual channel is broadcast, identifier virtual channel, and parameters of virtual channels, including virtual channel name, position in the channel list, links to each of the additional metadata files with their binding to the virtual channel, for example, in the form of "dvb:" URL (see ETSI TS 102 851), that is, links to a specific file in a separately broadcast service.

Technological interruptions in the broadcasting of a virtual channel can be caused, for example, due to the existing time difference between the end of one event (transmission) before the start of broadcasting of the next event (transmission) after it, since these events may belong to different linear broadcast channels, or spaced apart in time in broadcasting schedule of one linear channel. The diagram of figure 2 shows examples of the formation of the schedule of the virtual channel, including with the setting of the technological break mark (fig.2a). As follows from the example shown in the diagram of figa), event 1 broadcast on a linear channel from 13:00 to 14:00 one day, event 2 broadcast on a linear channel from 14:30 to 15:00 can be added to the virtual channel schedule same day. The time interval arising between events in the period from 14:00 to 14:30 is marked in the schedule with a technological break (fig.2a)). When generating the schedule, the suppression of events in time is also taken into account (Fig. 2a)). When events overlap, the event that starts earlier is added to the schedule. For example (figure 2, a)), for one virtual channel, the operator marked the events of linear channels from 13:00 to 14:00, from 13:30 to 14:30, while the virtual channel schedule generation algorithm preinstalled on the EPG server and their metadata, will add an event from 13:00 to 14:00 to the schedule of this virtual channel. The next event that can be added to the schedule of this virtual channel must have the start time of the event following only after the end of the broadcast of the first event. In any case, when generating the virtual channel schedule, for the period of non-display of linear channel events of the generated selection of events for their broadcast within the virtual channel, the algorithm preinstalled in the EPG server memory adds a separate event to the virtual channel schedule, with the type of technological break. The type of event is added by means of pre-installed hardware software for generating metadata and scheduling virtual channels of the EPG server, when generating a metadata file in the corresponding parameter, for example, as shown in the exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention in Table 1. At the same time, as can be seen from the table In example 1, for an event of the "technological break" type, the list of required parameters specified in the metadata file differs from the list of required parameters for linear channel events broadcast as part of the service's virtual channels.

The description of the information parameters of the metadata file and their description in the metadata file is given in the table below.

Table 1.

Description of Virtual Channel Metadata File Parameters

Block Description Availability

As a result of generation, the main metadata is a JSON file, additional metadata is an archive containing all the necessary graphic data files. Below is an example of generating a metadata file.

When the data of virtual channels on the EPG server changes, for example, when updating the schedule, changing banners, etc., the necessary data is re-generated with subsequent transmission to the components of the transmitting side: to the CAS and to the input of the multiplexer.

The generated metadata is formed in a manner known from the prior art, by means of the appropriate pre-installed firmware of the EPG server, into streams and transmitted to the input of the multiplexing device. The file containing the main metadata of the virtual circuit service is transmitted as a data carousel stream (Data 'carousel, ETSI TR 101 202). An archive containing additional metadata is formed and transmitted as an object carousel stream (Object carousel, ETSI TR 101 202). The carousel method is a mandatory way to broadcast data in transport stream to guarantee the delivery of data to the client device, taking into account the cyclical repetition of data in the stream.

At the next stage, the generated schedule of virtual channels is transferred from the EPG server to the conditional access subsystem C AS.

For the subsequent descrambling of linear channels as part of virtual channels, using the algorithm preinstalled on the EPG server in a software and hardware way, the main metadata (the generated schedule of virtual channels) is transmitted to the remote access subsystem, to the CAS server, simultaneously with the transfer of the main metadata to the input of the multiplexer. The main metadata, as mentioned earlier, necessarily contain the following information: channel parameters (including the SNT parameters of linear channels used as part of the virtual channels of the service), date/time of the start and end of linear channel events.

Based on the data received and the audio-video content coming to the second input to the remote access subsystem, the content is encrypted and the data of broadcast channels and content is generated in the CAS conditional access subsystem (fig3) corresponding to DVB-Simulcrypt standards (ETSI TS 103 197), according to the algorithm DVB CSA (Digital Video Broadcasting Common Scrambling Algorithm).

In general, the process of encryption/decryption (scrambling/descrambling) is carried out as follows.

At the input of the encoder 14 (scrambler, SCR), an open (unencrypted) transport stream (TS) is supplied, which, in addition to additional information, contains audio and video content of linear satellite broadcast channels. The scrambler generates control words (CW) used to encrypt the transport stream by means of a control word generator (not shown in the diagrams of FIG. 3) made in hardware and software. The functional component of the CAS server 6, the EMM message generator 13 (EMMG) (FIG. 3) transmits the generated session key (OrKey) used to encrypt/decrypt the CW. The scrambler sends the CW to the server's CAS functional component, to the ECM message generator 12 (ECMG) (FIG. 3) for subsequent generation of an ECM message containing the encrypted CW control words. In turn, the CW control words are encrypted using the OrKey session keys to subsequently generate an ECM message containing the encrypted CW control words. The transport stream content is encrypted using CW control words and adding ECM messages. Thus, the encryption of the same event broadcast by different channels is carried out with a common control word encrypted with different session keys for each linear and virtual channel or their group, and the metadata files of the virtual channel service are transmitted to the input of the multiplexer. EMMG generates EMM messages containing service data, information about access rights and specialized commands. The generated EMM messages are also transmitted to the input of the multiplexer 3, where the transport stream is formed by embedding the service metadata into the transport stream of the content of the linear broadcast channels. As a result, at the output of the multiplexer in the context of the conditional access subsystem, an encrypted transport stream is obtained containing ECM and EMM messages according to the DVB standard (ETSI TS 102 470-1), which are transmitted to the input of the client device to receive and decrypt the secure transport stream at the receiving part of the satellite system. broadcasts subject to a valid subscription. Thus, C AS, together with the head equipment, allows you to manage subscribers' access to their services for the implementation of pay TV services.

On the client device, decryption of the encoded content is carried out by means of a cryptomodule and a smart card. The smart card stores OrKey session keys and access rights recorded by the cryptomodule after receiving the EMM from the transport stream. At the request of the system, the cryptomodule checks the OrKey session key stored on the smart card with a specific ECM message. A positive result of the comparison confirms the relevance of the session key and its subsequent use to calculate CW and, as a result, decrypt the encoded content.

According to the claimed invention, in order to provide access to encrypted content only within the framework of the virtual channel service, the above-mentioned conditional access system of the claimed solution provides the following actions:

- processing the list of virtual channels and their schedule.

- generation and storage of a separate set of session keys for access to the encoded content of virtual channels.

- encryption of CW control words with an additional virtual channel session key.

- generation and distribution of EMM with virtual channel session keys.

After processing the received schedule, the EMM message generator generates a set of session keys for accessing virtual channel events, different from session keys for accessing linear broadcast channels. The control words are further encrypted with the generated virtual channel session keys. Thus, the same content is scrambled (encrypted) using several session keys: one of which is used to descramble the content outside the service, the other is used to descramble the same content when it is played within the virtual channels service.

Next, an encrypted data stream for descrambling is transmitted from the CAS subsystem to the input of the multiplexer, where the transmission of EMM messages from the CAS server necessary for descrambling the events specified in the schedule within the virtual channel is compared with the schedule: distribution of rights in accordance with the start of events, command Suspension of access rights to an event of a given virtual channel occurs in accordance with the end of the event.

The multiplexer is configured to embed the data received from the EPG server and the CAS subsystem into the TS transport stream. For metadata received from the EPG server, the service broadcast parameters are set manually or automatically in a hardware-software manner, for example, via the interface of the CAS subsystem, the service broadcast parameters - SNT. For metadata broadcasting, a separate service is allocated as part of the transport stream: a separate package (PID) is allocated for basic metadata and additional metadata to simplify the search for the desired metadata component.

Metadata broadcasting is carried out in one service, preferably only on one transponder, which saves transponder capacity used for metadata broadcasting.

To detect a service with metadata, in this case, service information is used with a link to the service with metadata, which is a Linkage descriptor (Linkage descriptor, ETSI EN 300 468 VI.14.1). The Linkage descriptor is added in the graphical interface of the multiplexer to the network information flow table - NIT (Network Information Table, ETSI EN 300 468). The location of the descriptor in the stream is determined by the fact that the NIT tables on all transponders of the operator contain the same data set.

Among the service information contained in the Linkage descriptor, there are metadata broadcast parameters (SNT), service identifier and version of the metadata format.

The representation of the Linkage structure of the descriptor in the example is shown below, in Table 2

table 2

The following parameters are set in the Linkage descriptor and are available for editing:

1. Transport Stream ID, Original Network ID, Service ID - broadcast parameters of the metadata file (SNT).

2. Data Bytes - a string of hexadecimal data containing:

1. signature (four bytes) - service identifier (used directly to match the descriptor with the service),

2. json format version - version of the metadata file format (to be able to update the service without backward compatibility).

Using the Linkage descriptor allows you to create a service of virtual channels without user feedback, which provides additional protection of content when realizing the possibility of viewing it as part of virtual channels.

The transport stream generated in accordance with the claimed invention at the output of the MPEG-2 multiplexer contains at least:

- linear channels, the audio-video content of which will be used as part of virtual channels;

- service with metadata of virtual channels (basic and additional metadata);

- Linkage descriptor for service discovery with virtual links metadata;

- MPEG-2 service tables of the transport stream (according to the EN 300 468 standard), among which there are necessarily:

- PMT(Program Map Table) - program structure table. Included in the stream for each TV program and contains the PID of the TV program components - video, sound, synchronization. In addition, the PMT contains messages of the ECM of the conditional access system, if the program contains encrypted elementary streams.

- CAT (Condition Access Table) - conditional access table. Contains the individual PIDs of all EMM messages.

- NIT (Network Information Table) - network information table. Contains parameters of the communication system.

- TDT (Time Data Table) - date and time table. It is a source of reliable time for the client device, allowing you to schedule virtual circuits.

- BAT (Bouquet Association Table) - a table of program groups. Contains information that allows the client device in this solution to find the corresponding operator channels and related service information.

Next, the TS transport stream arrives at the client device (figure 4) of the receiving part of the service. The processing of the TS transport stream and virtual circuit service metadata by the client device is as follows.

The client device is a digital satellite receiver (STB, “Set-Top Box” in the diagram), equipped with at least a tuner/demodulator (“Tuner/Demodulator”) that accepts an MPEG-2 transport stream input signal, a cryptomodule (“CAS module ”), responsible for descrambling the incoming coded stream and the main processor (“CPU”), which processes the data and transmits the audio-video signal, which is presented to the end user by the user interface and channel content, to the audio-video output (“HDMI”). Also, a smart card (“SmartCard”) or a built-in smart card emulator (“SmartCard emulator”) as part of the cryptomodule is installed in the receiver, then simply a “smart card” containing keys and access rights to the content. At the same time, in the cryptomodule a sectional filter is implemented for commands to set virtual channel rights, an EMM message handler corresponding to a virtual channel, and sending a command to set rights and an OrKey virtual channel session key to a smart card. In the absence of errors, the operation of the virtual circuit service on the STB is carried out by the CPU and as follows:

- detection in the transport stream of a service with metadata of virtual channels;

- carry out filtering and processing of EMM and ECM messages with commands for setting rights and session keys for accessing events included in virtual channels, as well as decoding control words for decoding content events included in virtual channels;

- obtaining metadata of virtual channels and adding virtual channels in the STB user interface based on their parameters in the list of linear channels;

- formation of the schedule of virtual channels and its display in the corresponding module of the user interface;

- playback of the virtual channel content by automatically switching to a linear broadcast channel that broadcasts the content of the current event according to the schedule of the selected virtual channel, decoding the content of the linear broadcast channel broadcast as part of the selected virtual channel using control words in case of their successful decoding;

- processing the installation of rights and keys of the virtual channel from the stream;

- Displaying a stub banner during technological breaks on a virtual channel.

Service metadata discovery in the transport stream (FIG. 5) is performed primarily by the CPU STB by processing the appropriate table in the incoming transport stream (NIT) to find the linkage descriptor and check its validity. According to the descriptor of the SNT service parameters in the linkage, the corresponding metadata is loaded into the TS.

Thanks to the broadcasting of service metadata on each of the transponders of the incoming signal, the presence of a satellite signal at the antenna input of the STB is sufficient to form a virtual channel.

After loading the CPU metadata, the user interface displays a virtual channel with the name, position and logo defined in the metadata and displayed in the corresponding user interface module along with the name of the virtual channel. In an additional user interface module, along with linear channels, the display of the virtual channel schedule is implemented to familiarize and support the functionality implemented for linear channels.

When determining the CPU in the incoming transport stream of the new version of the metadata, the metadata is also updated on the STB, starting with the loading of the metadata. The operation of the virtual channels service on the client device during interaction with the user is carried out as follows.

The operation of the service after the user selects to view a virtual channel (figure 6), for example, by selecting a channel in the list by pressing a button on the remote control, for the most part consists in displaying the content of the selected virtual channel (automatic switching according to the schedule) with descrambling the corresponding content.

When viewing a virtual channel, the CPU STB automatically switches on content according to the schedule: switching to a linear channel according to SNT parameters if the current event is broadcast on a linear channel, or displaying a banner received as part of metadata if the current event is a technological break. The subsequent operation of the virtual channel service is carried out according to the received schedule: at the end of the current event, switching to SNT of another linear channel is performed if the next event is broadcast on a linear channel, or a banner received as part of additional metadata is displayed if the next event is a technological break.

After automatic switching (Fig.7) to a certain linear channel as part of the virtual one, the main processor makes a request to the cryptomodule to descramble the corresponding content. The cryptomodule initiates a call to the smart card to decrypt the control word to descramble the virtual channel content, configures the elementary streams for the descrambler according to the PMT received from the main processor (Program Map Table service table) to receive ECM messages, sets the CW control words received from the descrambler to the descrambler. smart cards. Decoding of the corresponding content after automatic switching to a linear broadcast channel that broadcasts a content event as part of a virtual service channel, setting the elementary streams of the transport stream for the descrambler in accordance with the information of the PMT service table to receive ECM messages and setting control words in the descrambler is carried out by the main processor, made with the ability to decrypt the incoming encrypted stream through the built-in security system.

According to the claimed solution, in the virtual channel viewing mode, the CPU of a digital satellite receiver can automatically turn on the broadcast of the content of the linear broadcast channel according to the schedule by switching to the linear broadcast channel according to the SNT parameters, if the current event is broadcast on the linear broadcast channel, or display a banner received as part of the metadata virtual channel if the current event is a technology event.

Thus, the linear channel is descrambling for the duration of the broadcast of the event when it is played within the virtual channel service, while the content of the linear channel outside the virtual channel service remains encoded. To support this model of virtual channels, CAS provides access only for specified TV programs in the mode of operation of the virtual channel. Wherein:

1. Access to TV programs of a virtual channel while watching the source channel remains closed (in the absence of a valid subscription). That is, all TV programs when watching a regular channel remain unavailable if there is no subscription.

2. The presence of subscriptions to source channels does not affect the list of TV programs available in the virtual channel. Only the TV programs specified in the schedule of the channel remain available in the virtual channel (regardless of the presence of subscriptions to source channels).

3. Changing the TV program settings through a virtual channel automatically affects the access control logic C AS:

1) When adding a TV program to a virtual channel - access is provided in accordance with the broadcast schedule of the TV program (for the duration of the broadcast in the stream). To do this, ECMG encrypts the CW copy of the broadcast channel using the session key of this virtual channel during the broadcast of a TV program in a virtual channel (see Fig. 4). As a result, STB subscribers with a valid subscription to this virtual channel have the technical ability to decode CW and open the channel during the broadcast of a TV program.

2) When a TV program is deleted from a virtual channel, access is blocked due to the fact that EMMG stops using the session key of the virtual channel when encrypting CW.

3) When changing the broadcasting schedule of a TV program from a virtual channel, the channel content availability time is shifted in accordance with the new start/end time. This is also controlled by ECMG using the virtual channel session key strictly in accordance with the actual virtual channel broadcast schedule.

4. Support for access control for several virtual channels at the same time is implemented with the following capabilities:

1) include the same broadcast channel in several virtual channels.

2) add to the virtual channel several TV programs broadcast at the same time (having an intersection).

The claimed group of inventions allows:

1) Expand the list of channel packages without broadcasting multiple channel copies (which are included in multiple channel packages).

2) Flexibly and safely limit access to individual TV shows (according to the conditions of copyright holders, the rules for distributing content in services, and other restrictions).

3) Provide access to TV shows only within the virtual channel. CAS provides access to TV programs within broadcast channels only if you have an active subscription to the corresponding channel packages. 4) Manage access to virtual channels by subscription from the billing system, and massively to all authorized devices when access to the virtual channels function is activated (to all or only specified devices).

Modules, blocks, and other components have been described above in terms of their features and the functionality they provide, along with optional and preferred features. With the information provided and the characteristics and description given, the practical implementation of these features and specific implementation details can be determined by the developer. For example, certain modules could be implemented using software, and some or all of the components could be implemented using dedicated hardware.

The modules and components described above are merely illustrative examples. The invention may be implemented in a variety of ways, and in particular, some components may be integrated with others that perform similar functions, or some components may be omitted in simplified implementations. Hardware and software implementations of each of the described functions can be combined in any combination, both between several components, and for each individual component.

It is understood that the functions performed by hardware, computer software, and the like are performed on or using electrical and similar signals. Software implementations may be stored in ROM or may be "hardwired" into flash memory.

It is obvious that the present invention has been described above and using only illustrative examples of possible variants of its implementation, and various changes in the details of implementation are possible without leading to a departure from the scope of the present invention.

Each of the features disclosed in the description and (when appropriate) in the claims and graphic figures, can be implemented both independently and in any suitable combination.

The claimed solution of the group of inventions provides a simple solution for expanding the operational capabilities of a satellite broadcasting system, by expanding the capabilities of broadcasting content without increasing the transponder capacity and memory of the transmitting and client parts, while increasing the level of content protection by forming virtual channels, the broadcasting of content of which does not require pre-recording of content linear channels of broadcasting, due to the formation of the schedule of broadcasting of a virtual channel by generating a selection of events of the content of linear channels of broadcasting, selected according to the criteria pre-installed for each virtual channel and broadcast within the virtual channels of the service sequentially in time and ensuring the broadcasting of the content of the virtual channel by secure switching to the broadcast in in accordance with the schedule of the virtual channel, the content of linear channels broadcast at the specified time.

Claims

CLAIM 1. The virtual channel service system, including the transmitting and receiving sides, where the transmitting side includes, at least, interconnected and with the multiplexer by communication lines, the EPG server of the electronic television program guide, equipped with means for generating a schedule of events for the content of linear broadcast channels, and a CAS conditional access subsystem, including a conditional access server and an encryption device, equipped with means for encrypting and providing access to the encrypted content of linear channels, and the multiplexer is equipped with means for generating a transport stream, including at least the content of linear broadcast channels, content event schedules, commands for access to encrypted content, and the receiving side includes a client device - a digital satellite receiver, equipped with means for receiving, processing transport stream data, and decrypting content, characterized in that it is additionally equipped with means for generating virtual channels of the service, moreover, the EPG server is additionally equipped with means for generating metadata of virtual channels, and schedules of virtual channels - in the form of a compilation of a selection of events of the content of linear broadcast channels, selected according to criteria preset for each virtual channel and broadcast within the virtual channels of the service sequentially in time, with setting for each event of selecting the identifier of the corresponding virtual channel and marking the use of the event in its composition, and the CAS conditional access subsystem is equipped with means for generating control words encrypted with their session keys, as well as ECM and EMM messages containing them, for each linear and virtual channel of the service system or groups thereof, wherein the same content event broadcast by different channels is encrypted with a common control word encrypted with different session keys for each linear and virtual channel or their group. 2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the EPG server is equipped with means for generating two types of metadata of virtual service channels: basic metadata and additional metadata, where - the main metadata is the schedule of each of the virtual channels with a directory of virtual channels, where the schedule for each of the virtual channels consists of events broadcast as part of the linear broadcast channels, marked in a predetermined way when forming a selection of virtual channel events. - additional metadata is graphical data, at least including a technological break banner set in pauses between adjacent broadcasts of virtual channel events, and a channel logo. 3. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that the main metadata of virtual channels contains event parameters, including description, start and end time of the event, parameters of the linear broadcast channel in the SNT transport stream on which the virtual channel event is broadcast, virtual channel identifier, and parameters virtual channels, including the name of the virtual channel, position in the list of channels, links to each of the additional metadata files associated with the virtual channel. 4. The system according to claim 3, characterized in that the main metadata of the virtual channels service is formed for transmission in the form of a data carousel stream, and additional metadata is in the form of an object carousel stream. 5. The system according to claim 4, characterized in that in the transport stream the main metadata of the virtual channels of the service are made in the form of a JSON file, additional metadata in the form of an archive file containing files of graphic data. 6. The system according to claim. 1, characterized in that the CAS conditional access subsystem is designed to provide the ability to encrypt content according to the DVB CSA algorithm. 7. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that a separate PID package is allocated as part of the transport stream for broadcasting the main and additional metadata of the virtual channels of the service. 8. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the metadata of virtual channels is made with the possibility of broadcasting in one service on one transponder, with the possibility of detecting a service with metadata in the transport stream by means of service information with a link to the service with metadata of virtual channels, which is a Linkage descriptor added to the network information table of the NIT to enable the provision of virtual circuit service to the end user without a user feedback channel. 9. The system according to claim 8, characterized in that the Linkage descriptor overhead includes at least the SNT virtual channel metadata broadcast parameters, the virtual channel metadata service identifier, and the virtual channel metadata format version. 10. The system according to claim. 1, characterized in that the transport stream at the output of the multiplexer is an MPEG-2 transport stream and includes at least: linear broadcast channels, the content of which is also used as part of virtual channels; basic and additional metadata of the virtual channels service; linkage handle; MPEG-2 service tables of the transport stream, including: PMT program structure tables; CAT table of conditional access; NIT network information table; TDT date and time table; BAT table of program groups. 11. The system according to any one of paragraphs. 1-10, characterized in that the client device is made in the form of a digital satellite receiver equipped with at least a tuner/demodulator that receives the input signal MPEG-2 transport stream, a cryptomodule designed to provide the ability to decrypt the incoming encrypted transport stream, while the cryptomodulator equipped with a sectional filter for commands to set virtual channel rights, an EMM type handler for messages corresponding to a virtual channel and the ability to send a command to set the rights and session keys of a virtual channel, as well as the main CPU that processes data and provides the end user with an audio-video output of the content of linear broadcast channels and virtual service channels in the user interface module. 12. The system according to paragraphs. 1-10, characterized in that the client device is made in the form of a digital satellite receiver, equipped with at least a tuner/demodulator that receives the input signal MPEG-2 transport stream, the main CPU, configured to decrypt the incoming encrypted transport stream, by means of of the built-in security system, and performing data processing, providing the end user with audio-video output channel content in the user interface module, while the CPU is equipped with a sectional filter for commands to set virtual channel rights, an EMM type handler for messages corresponding to a virtual channel and the ability to send a command to set rights and session keys of the virtual channel. 13. A method for providing a virtual channel service to an end user, including successively implemented steps, at which at least: - forming a directory of virtual channels of the service, containing at least the name of the channel and the position number in the list of broadcast channels, and the schedule of events of the virtual channels of the service on the EPG server by arranging a selection of content events of the linear broadcast channels broadcast within the selected virtual service channel sequentially time and selected according to the criteria pre-set for each virtual channel, with setting for each event of the content of the selection of the identifier of the corresponding virtual channel and the mark of the use of the event in its composition, with the subsequent formation of metadata for each virtual channel, - receive and encrypt the control words generated by the scrambler of the conditional access subsystem, generate session keys and the ECM and EMM messages of the broadcast channels and virtual channels of the service system containing them, and the encryption of the same event broadcast by different channels is carried out with a common control word encrypted different session keys for each linear and virtual channel or their group, and transmit the metadata files of the virtual channels service to the input of the multiplexer, where they form a transport stream by embedding the service metadata into the transport stream of the content of the linear broadcast channels and transmit it to the input of the client device; receive the transport stream on the client device and process it, during which, at least, carry out the discovery of a service with metadata in the transport stream; - carry out filtering and processing of EMM and ECM messages with commands for setting rights and session keys for accessing events included in virtual channels, as well as decrypting control words for decrypting content events included in virtual channels, - obtaining metadata of virtual channels and adding virtual channels in the user interface of a digital satellite receiver; - playback of the virtual channel content by automatically switching to a linear broadcast channel that broadcasts the content of the current event according to the schedule of the selected virtual channel, decoding the content of the linear broadcast channel broadcast as part of the selected virtual channel using control words in case of their successful decoding. 14 The method according to claim 13, characterized in that at the stage of generating the metadata of the service virtual channels, the main and additional metadata are formed, where the main metadata of the service virtual channels is the schedule of each of the virtual channels with a directory of virtual channels, and the additional metadata is graphic data, at least including a technological break banner set in pauses between adjacent broadcasts of virtual channel events, and a channel logo. 15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that on the EPG server the main and additional metadata of the virtual channels of the service are formed into streams, where the main metadata of the virtual channels service is formed in the form of a data carousel stream, and the additional metadata is in the form of an object carousel stream. 16. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that when forming an MPEG-2 transport stream by means of a multiplexer, it is embedded the stream subsequently transmitted to the input of the client device, additional service information, which is a Linkage descriptor in the network information table (NIT), which provides dynamic discovery by the client device of the metadata of the virtual channel service in the transport stream, and on the client device, the service is discovered with the metadata in the transport stream by of the referenced Linkage descriptor without a user feedback channel. 17. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that at the stage of playing the content event of the virtual channel, the main processor requests the cryptomodule to decrypt the content event after automatically switching to the corresponding linear broadcast channel that broadcasts the event as part of the virtual channel of the service, and the cryptomodule initiates the call to a smart card or a built-in smart card emulator as part of a cryptomodule, to decrypt the control word to decrypt the content of a linear broadcast channel as part of a virtual channel, configures the elementary streams of the transport stream for the descrambler according to the information received from the main processor according to information from the PMT service table to obtain ECM messages, and sets the control words received from the smart card or the built-in smart card emulator to the descrambler. 18. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that decoding the corresponding content after automatic switching to a linear broadcast channel that broadcasts a content event as part of a virtual channel of the service, setting the elementary streams of the transport stream for the descrambler in accordance with the information of the PMT service table to receive ECM messages and setting the control words to the descrambler is carried out by the main processor configured to decrypt the incoming encrypted stream by the embedded security system. 19. The method according to any one of claims 13-18, characterized in that when the virtual channel schedule of the EPG service is generated by the server, when the selection events for the virtual channel broadcast by different linear broadcast channels intersect in time, an event with an earlier broadcast time is added to the schedule, and on the time of non-displaying of events of linear broadcast channels, a technological event pre-installed in the service system is added to the schedule of the virtual channel. 20. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 19, characterized in that in virtual channel viewing mode, the CPU of the digital satellite receiver automatically switches on the broadcast of the content of the linear broadcast channel according to the schedule by switching to the linear broadcast channel according to the SNT parameters, if the current event is broadcast on the linear channel broadcasting, or displaying a banner received as part of the virtual channel metadata, if the current event is a technological event.