Embodiment
Below in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in the embodiment of the invention, the technical scheme in the embodiment of the invention is clearly and completely described, obviously, described embodiment only is a part of embodiment of the present invention, rather than whole embodiment.Based on the embodiment among the present invention, those of ordinary skills belong to the scope of protection of the invention not making the every other embodiment that is obtained under the creative work prerequisite.
The embodiment of the invention provides a kind of control method of playing programs, comprising:
Program access equipment receives the play instruction that user terminal sends, and comprises program identification in the play instruction;
This program access equipment is carried out the programme content play operation according to program identification.
With DVB-C is example, and program access equipment can be CMTS, and user terminal can be STB.Be example with the DVB-C system below, concrete execution mode is described.
Need to prove, the embodiment of the invention can also be applied to expand the current wireless ground digital broadcast network DVB-H system that transforms, the terrestrial DTV launching tower can similar CMTS as program access equipment, wireless mobile multi-media terminal then can be realized the function of user terminal in the foregoing description, and Wireless IP network is being similar to the IP network of HFC.In order to state that conveniently following system and method embodiment only is example with DVB-C.
The limited amount of the digital TV channel of the sub-district at each CMTS place is in the bandwidth of hfc plant, and in fact network provide treat the channel quantity that the broadcast content number of programs generally can provide more than hfc plant greatly.In the embodiment of the invention, dynamically provide the program channel mapping relations by DVB-C broadcast channel for fixed amount, by the corresponding programme content of this program channel mapping relationship searching, make on limited hfc plant bandwidth, increase the number of programs that the user can watch.
Wherein, the program channel mapping relations can realize by a table, be called the program channel table here.Certainly, the program channel mapping relations also can be passed through technology realizations such as certain calculation rule, Database Mapping.The following examples of the present invention are example with the program channel table only, are suitable for the program channel mapping relations of other types equally.Here need to prove, the program channel table record be mapping relations between program identification and the channel identication.Such as the program channel table can be the corresponding relation of program number and channel identication, and program number is a number of sign program, can be by the numeral of remote controller input; The program channel table also can be the corresponding relation of programm name or other programme informations and channel identication, programm name wherein or other programme informations can be selected on remote controller by the user, for terminal with literal input function, such as STB with IMS client end capacity, also can be on terminal directly inputting programm name or other programme informations.The information of above-mentioned program number, programm name or other sign programme contents is referred to as program identification.Among the following embodiment is that example is described with program identification employing program number, is suitable for the program identification of other types equally.In addition, channel identication wherein is to be used to identify a concrete channel.
The embodiment of the invention one provides a kind of Digital Television DTV system, as shown in Figure 1:
STB in this system supports digital television HDTV (High Definition TV: STB HDTV (High-Definition Television)), or the STB of DTV; Also can support the STB of IP packet simultaneously.STB in this system can the process IP data flow and Media Stream (, then be the HDTV Media Stream if support HDTV; If support DTV, then be DTV Media Stream and digital television program list); STB can possess IPTV (InternetProtocol TV: the client functionality TV of IP based network), as programme tabulation can be provided; The user selects program by this programme tabulation.
Content server wherein sends to the CMTS of this user's correspondence with program, and plays.
In this system, the user can send play instruction by the IP tunnel that STB provides, thereby obtains required programs by STB receiving media stream then.
The function of CMTS mainly comprises management and control CM (Cable Modem: channel cable modem), QoS and IP address in this system; And carry out obtaining and sending of media resource, and the management of channel; CMTS in the embodiment of the invention can also obtain and send the program channel table to STB, and can safeguard this program channel table.
The embodiment of the invention two provides a kind of control method of playing programs.In this method, the digitized representation program number on the user remote controller, what the user selected is program number.The program of this program number correspondence is in which concrete cannel broadcast, then by can dynamically determining according to the situation of channel resource by CMTS, and with the result notification STB (such as comprising information such as channel identication in the result who determines) that determines, STB can see selected program in the channel received signal of appointment.This embodiment is provided with a program channel table on CMTS, what write down in this program channel table is mapping relations between program number and the channel identication.Need to prove that program number wherein is used for programme content of unique identification.The specific implementation step of this embodiment is as shown in Figure 2:
After the step 201:STB start, with being connected and authenticating of CMTS.Authentication obtains the IP address by back STB.
Step 202: the user selects the required program of watching, and STB sends play instruction according to the CMTS sign that the user belonged to the CMTS of correspondence; Comprise user selected program number in this play instruction.
In this embodiment, the program channel table among each CMTS is the program resource pool of a logic, can be made up of two parts: a part is current in progress program, and another part is the current program of not playing.For in progress program, can from the program channel table, inquire the channel identication of this program number mapping; For the current program that does not have broadcast, then there is not the channel identication of mapping.
Step 203:CMTS receives play instruction, obtains program number wherein, carries out playback process.Specifically comprise: judge whether it is in progress program, if then CMTS obtains the channel identication of program number correspondence according to program number and program channel table, the channel identication of correspondence is handed down to STB, STB is then at the channel section program receiving signal of appointment;
Otherwise what the user selected is the current program of not playing of CMTS, if CMTS has not had available channel resource, CMTS is the playing request of refusing user's directly; If CMTS also has idle channel resource, then can be by CMTS to this programme content of content server requests.CMTS is as follows to the concrete steps of this programme content of content server requests:
A) the content server channel of inquiring about this CMTS takies situation, when this CMTS has the idle channels resource, then content server pushes to this CMTS with the programme content of user selected program correspondence, or is added the program place multicast group of program number correspondence to the content server application by this CMTS;
B) CMTS selects one idle channels to be used to play the programme content of this program number correspondence, and the channel identication of this idle channels is related with program number, upgrades current program channel table simultaneously;
C) CMTS is handed down to STB with selected channel identication and program source, by STB program receiving content on the channel of appointment.
In the present embodiment, can also carry out following setting on CMTS: if the CMTS channel at user place takies at full capacity, the user can only select in the current channel list that is broadcasting so; If certain broadcast channel has above certain hour (such as 5 minutes) watch without any the user, CMTS can reclaim this channel, is about to this channel and is set to idle condition.
In the present embodiment, under CMTS channel quantity full load situation, in order to expand increased number of available channels results, can also be the program that can play in the local P2P network, be fused in the DVB channel, when not having idle channels again, can switch to the program that IP tunnel is watched selection in case the user has selected program.
The foregoing description dynamically provides the program channel table by the DVB broadcast channel for fixed amount, search corresponding programme content by this program channel table, by the corresponding relation between CMTS control program channel and the program, this corresponding relation can dynamically be adjusted according to demand, make on limited hfc plant bandwidth, increase the number of programs that the user can watch.
In the foregoing description two, can also store some programme contents at STB and CMTS, select to watch for the user.When the user watches program, program fragment is buffered in STB; Utilize the storage capacity of CMTS to constitute program shared network (such as the P2P network that can be localization) jointly like this between each STB and the STB; And, upgrade the program channel table of corresponding CMTS according to the program source situation of each STB buffer memory.In this case, the program channel table of CMTS is made of three parts: the one, and current in progress program, the 2nd, the program of current cache in the P2P network, the 3rd, the current program of not playing; Wherein the current cache program has utilized the bandwidth ability of local P2P network, does not influence the broadcasting channel quantity of CMTS.In order to realize the differentiation of above-mentioned three partial programmes, can use special mark or other modes to realize at the program channel table.
The required program channel of watching of user terminal selecting if selection is the program of current cache, is then directly play in the P2P network; If what select is the current program of not playing of current in progress program or CMTS, similar with embodiment two.
Need to prove that among this embodiment, carry out programme content and share between STB and STB, the mode of sharing can adopt the P2P mode.Among this embodiment,, can utilize STB to provide programme content for the user, alleviate CMTS simultaneously to the bandwidth pressure of backbone network with to the workload demand of content server by IP tunnel by store program content on STB; Share by between STB and STB, carrying out programme content, enriched the program channel source.
Certainly, STB can also possess the ability of local video recording, share on the basis of channel at above-mentioned DTV broadcasting channel and P2P, can also on STB, increase local program list planning chart, use the local time-moving television content of recording in conjunction with the P2P cache contents, for the user provides abundanter video traffic more flexibly.
The embodiment of the invention three provides a kind of control method of playing programs.Among this embodiment, the digitized representation channel identication on the user remote controller when user selects program, needs to understand the program number that current each channel is broadcasting.Each channel does not all have program to broadcast when initial, and the user can select the program of broadcast by the program channel table.After the user selects program, CMTS will dynamically set up the mapping relations of channel identication and program number, and other users just can select program with channel identication; If the user will select new program, then need again from listing, to select, and safeguard the into mapping of channel and program by CMTS.This embodiment is provided with a program channel table on CMTS, what write down in this program channel table is mapping relations between program number and the channel identication, and the user is still by the corresponding program of channel identication request.The specific implementation step of this embodiment is as shown in Figure 3:
Step 301:CMTS obtains the program channel table;
Step 302:CMTS sends the program channel table to STB;
Step 303:STB selects to obtain programme content just at the channel identication of broadcast program on the channel of channel identication correspondence according to the program channel table.
In the prior art, CMTS is last by broadcast the program of some regularly on each channel, vision signal by the selected channel of user, output to TV after the decoding, the user can control STB by remote controller and select the output of decoding of different frequencies, but the user need memoriter understand the program of each channel broadcast just can be selected, and it is not very convenient making the user watch program.Present embodiment is by above-mentioned method, and the user can select in progress program to watch according to the program channel table that obtains from CMTS, makes that user's selection is more targeted, has strengthened user's impression.In addition, by the corresponding relation between CMTS control program channel and the program, this corresponding relation can dynamically be adjusted according to demand, makes on limited bandwidth, increases the number of programs that the user can watch.
In addition, the user also can select the program that do not broadcast as yet, and specific implementation can be as follows:
STB sends the program application and instructs to CMTS, comprises program identification in this program application instruction;
CMTS according to the program identification channel distribution and on the channel that is distributed the corresponding programme content of broadcast program sign;
The channel identication of the transmission institute channel distribution that CMTS will distribute is to STB, and STB directly just can watch the program applied on the channel that is distributed.
After CMTS distributes the channel that is over, CMTS can also upgrade the program channel table according to the channel identication of institute's channel distribution, when watching program, later like this STB application just can obtain up-to-date program channel table, on limited hfc plant bandwidth, increased the quantity that the user can watch program.
Among this embodiment, the digitized representation channel identication on the user remote controller, compatible and existing user's custom.In the specific implementation process, can be by on CMTS, setting up and safeguard the program channel table, thereby the last mapping that can carry out channel and program of CMTS, and this program channel table can be issued to STB is carried out program by STB the selection of watching, in case the user has selected a channel that needs are watched, then CMTS has received channel identication, just can carry out the play operation of program according to existing mode.
By the program channel table that STB receives,, the user oneself wants that the program of watching has had after the corresponding channel identication, then selects this channel identication to watch if seeing.
Among this embodiment, CMTS can power up the back in start and download initial program channel table from content server.In the follow-up process, CMTS can upgrade this program channel table.After selecting to have watched a program the user, if this program is not play as yet, CMTS can be to this programme content of content server requests, and by certain strategy (such as by the frequency height) channel distribution, and upgrades the program channel table according to the channel identication of institute's channel distribution.
In addition, CMTS can also reclaim idle channels as required, and corresponding renewal program channel table, be specifically as follows: if all channels of CMTS have all had program playing, and the user can't apply for watching the program of not playing as yet again, then CMTS is can be at certain channel overtime and when not broadcasting demand, CMTS reclaims this channel.So just there is the idle channels resource to use, improved resource utilization for the user.Certainly, CMTS also can be according to certain strategy at (such as each a period of time or monitoring in real time) recovery section channel resource on suitable opportunity, to improve the resource utilization of channel.
Hfc plant in the foregoing description only is an example, and the IP tunnel of the transmission program control information in the embodiment of the invention also can utilize non-hfc plant, as wireless networks such as ADSL, 3G or WLAN.The user is by terminal online and passed through the label power authentication of STB and CMTS, just can control the programme content of being play.
In concrete realization, IMS (IP Multimedia Sub-System:IP IP multimedia subsystem, IMS) client can be carried out ip voice chat or ip voice hot line and connect when watch TV.Such as in fourth embodiment of the invention, STB built-in behind the IMS client end capacity, can state in realization on embodiment two and three the service basic, increase the function of voice and video multimedia communication.This moment, the IMS client software operated among the STB; Remote controller is looked can increase microphone and ear-phone function, and conduct simultaneously is that receiver uses, and can be connected with STB by modes such as bluetooths.This built-in function of voice communication can strengthen the interchange of watching video frequency program, also can with common mobile phone and telephone intercommunication.In this embodiment, have the STB start of IMS client end capacity after, with being connected and authenticating of CMTS.Authentication obtains the IP address by back STB, and obtains the program channel tabulation of corresponding CMTS from content server by IP tunnel.
In addition, for the IMS client, also need to start the registration of IMS client, and check the online situation of good friend.
At the required program channel of watching of user terminal selecting and after watching program,, can control two STB and directly enter the hot line session status according to the hot line strategy of online situation of good friend and local STB; When watching program, show good friend's channel, and can directly pass through the ClickToTalk function, carry out voice-enabled chat with the good friend at any time.
In addition,, can in hfc plant, carry out cheap Speech Communication because built-in IMS client among the STB then can be considered as a multi-media voice terminal, also can with traditional PSTN intercommunication.
In embodiments of the present invention, by advantage in conjunction with IP network and hfc plant, can carry out extensive dilatation for broadcasting channel quantity to hfc plant, and provide professional creativity condition for HFC is large-scale networked, for the user provides the personalized content of selecting channel to broadcast, the user has had certain control ability to broadcasted content simultaneously; By on the basis of HFC system, carry out less modification, realize the fusion of IPTV and digit broadcasting system, further can also merge P2P video broadcasting and IMS communication and wait in one, help making full use of of resource, the competitiveness of raising system.
The embodiment of the invention is by user's selection difference, and the programme content of each sub-district is also different, can satisfy following wider HFC networking, in limited broadcast channel, provides the program source that transfinites to select.
The embodiment of the invention four also provides a kind of user terminal 400, can comprise:
Play instruction transmitting element 401 is used to send play instruction, comprises program identification in the play instruction;
Content receiving element 402 is used for the programme content that the program receiving access device is play according to program identification.
Wherein, user terminal can also comprise:
Programme content memory cell 403 is used for any buffered program content;
Share interface unit 404, be used for utilizing the programme content of buffer memory to set up the program shared network by program access equipment.
In addition, this user terminal can also comprise: IMS client unit 405 is used for multimedia communication.
This user terminal can be STB or wireless mobile multi-media terminal.With STB is example, and this STB can also possess multiple fusion faculty, such as possessing digital high-definition set-top box and IP set-top box ability simultaneously on the basis of realizing the number of programs that the raising user can watch; Also can expand and support IMS client end capacity, P2P client end capacity to realize sharing.Thereby realize the fusion and the unification of multiple systems more easily.
The embodiment of the invention five also provides a kind of program access equipment 500, can comprise:
Receiving element 501 is used to receive the play instruction that user terminal sends, and comprises program identification in the play instruction;
Broadcast unit 502 is used for carrying out the programme content play operation according to program identification.
Broadcast unit wherein can comprise channel identication acquiring unit 503, is used for obtaining according to program identification the channel identication of described program identification correspondence.
Broadcast unit can also comprise content requests unit 504, is used for the programme content to content server requests program identification correspondence; Content requests unit 504 wherein can comprise programme content receiving element 505, is used to receive the programme content from this program identification correspondence of content server propelling movement; Or multicast adding unit 506, be used for adding the corresponding program of this program identification place multicast group to the content server application.
Broadcast unit can also comprise idle channels acquiring unit 507, is used to obtain an idle channels and programme content is play on idle channels; In this case, this program access equipment also comprises program channel mapping relations updating block 508, is used for upgrading current program channel mapping relations according to the channel identication and the described program identification of idle channels.
Broadcast unit 502 among this embodiment can also comprise shares playing programs indicating member 509, is used to indicate the programme content of program shared network described program identification correspondence for the user plays.
The program access equipment that the foregoing description provides can be the CMTS in the DVB-C system, also can be the terrestrial DTV launching tower in the DVB-H system.With the DVB-C system is example, this program access equipment is CMTS dynamically provides the program channel mapping relations for the DVB broadcast channel of fixed amount, by the corresponding programme content of this program channel mapping relationship searching, by the corresponding relation between CMTS control program channel and the program, this corresponding relation can dynamically be adjusted according to demand, and the number of programs that the user can be watched increases.
The embodiment of the invention six also provides a kind of program access equipment 600, can comprise:
Program channel mapping relations acquiring unit 601 is used to obtain the program channel mapping relations;
Program channel mapping relations transmitting element 602 is used to send these program channel mapping relations to user terminal;
Wherein, user terminal is used to select channel identication according to the program channel mapping relations, and obtains programme content on the channel of described channel identication correspondence.
Present embodiment is by above-mentioned program access equipment, and the user can select in progress program to watch according to the program channel mapping relations that obtain from CMTS, makes that user's selection is more targeted, has strengthened user's impression.And by the corresponding relation between CMTS control program channel and the program, this corresponding relation can dynamically be adjusted according to demand, and the number of programs that the user can be watched increases.
In addition, this program access equipment 600 can also comprise:
Program application command reception unit 603 is used to receive the program application instruction that user terminal sends, and comprises program identification in this program application instruction;
Channel assignment unit 604, be used for according to this program identification channel distribution and on the channel that is distributed the corresponding programme content of broadcast program sign;
Channel identication transmitting element 605 is used to send the channel identication of institute's channel distribution to user terminal.
Like this, the programme content that the user can watch just just is not subjected to the restriction at broadcast interface, and can ownly apply for and obtain the program that to be ready watching.
The channel identication of the transmission institute channel distribution that CMTS will distribute is to STB, and STB directly just can watch the program applied on the channel that is distributed.
In addition, program access equipment can further include:
Updating block 606 be used for upgrading the program channel mapping relations according to the channel identication of institute's channel distribution, thereby later STB application just can be obtained up-to-date program channel mapping relations when watching program, has increased the quantity of program.
The program access equipment that this embodiment provides can be the CMTS in the DVB-C system, also can be the terrestrial DTV launching tower in the DVB-H system.With the DTV system is example, and this program access equipment is that program channel mapping relations are set on the CMTS, and what write down in these program channel mapping relations is mapping relations between program identification and the channel identication, and the user is still by the corresponding program of channel identication request.
The invention process provides a kind of control system of playing programs, can comprise the user terminal that any program access equipment that the foregoing description provides and the foregoing description provide.This system can also comprise content server.This system is implemented in the HFC TV broadcast network by dynamically control, supports to surpass the broadcast program channel of its channel capacity.
Through the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art can be well understood to the present invention and can realize by hardware, also can realize by the mode that software adds necessary general hardware platform.Based on such understanding, technical scheme of the present invention can embody with the form of software product, it (can be CD-ROM that this software product can be stored in a non-volatile memory medium, USB flash disk, portable hard drive etc.) in, comprise some instructions with so that computer equipment (can be personal computer, server, the perhaps network equipment etc.) carry out the described method of each embodiment of the present invention.
The above only is a preferred implementation of the present invention; should be pointed out that for those skilled in the art, under the prerequisite that does not break away from the principle of the invention; can also make some improvements and modifications, these improvements and modifications also should be considered as protection scope of the present invention.