WO2008000173A1

WO2008000173A1 - A streaming media playback device

Info

Publication number: WO2008000173A1
Application number: PCT/CN2007/070101
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jiancheng Li; Jin Fang
Original assignee: Tencent Technology (Shenzhen) Company Limited
Priority date: 2006-06-23
Filing date: 2007-06-12
Publication date: 2008-01-03
Also published as: CN101072221A

Abstract

A streaming media playback device is provided to resolve the problem in the prior art that the content of the P2P streaming media can only be played back by a computer, and the cost is high. In the streaming media playback device, a P2P transmitting module (1), a control module (2), a peripheral interface (3), an output interface adapter (5), a streaming media audio/video decoder (6) and a network interface (7) are coupled via a data bus (4), wherein the output interface adapter (5) is connected to an output interface (8), the peripheral interface (3) is connected to an external memory (9), the device receives the P2P streaming media data from the network and then combines the data into streaming media data, and is able to output the streaming media data to playing devices supporting digital audio/video, so as to make the recording and playing of the P2P streaming media simple and feasible.

Description

Streaming media playback device

Technical field

The present invention relates to the field of streaming media playback technologies, and in particular, to a streaming media playback device. Background of the invention

Streaming media refers to media formats, such as audio, video or multimedia files, that are streamed over the Internet/Intranet. The key technology for streaming media implementation is streaming. Streaming refers to the process of parsing multimedia files such as audio and video and 3D media into compressed packets through specific compression methods. The video server transmits the data to the user computer sequentially or in real time. . Streaming media does not download the entire file before playing, just saves the beginning part of the data packet into memory, caches the data packet in the computer, and causes the media data to be correctly output. Streaming data streams are readily available for playback at any time, with some delay at the beginning. Therefore, in a system using streaming, the user can use the decompression device to compress the audio and video (A/V) and 3D (3D) on the user's computer after only a few seconds or tens of seconds of startup delay. ) After the multimedia files are decompressed, they are played and viewed. At this point, the rest of the multimedia file will continue to download in the background.

Compared with the simple download method, the streaming method of downloading and playing the multimedia file not only greatly shortens the startup delay, but also greatly reduces the demand for the system cache capacity, thereby greatly reducing the user's waiting time.

The current streaming media playback terminal has a computer that plays back streaming program content through the computer to the screen and speakers, and is a terminal device similar to a digital television set-top box that can stream and play back streaming media programs provided by the program source.

However, the limitation of this streaming technology is that this approach to server performance and network band The wide requirements are high, and the number of viewers supported can be limited. Referring to FIG. 1, the streaming media program publishing source, that is, the server 10 directly connects to the plurality of playing terminals 20, so that the network bandwidth requirement is high, that is, the program publishing source server needs to provide sufficient bandwidth for all users to watch, for the 500 kbps program. Source, 100M bandwidth can only meet 200 users.

With the development of Internet technology, a new streaming media content distribution technology has emerged, namely, a peer-to-peer networking (P2P, peer to peer) technology as a streaming media technology for content distribution methods. Referring to FIG. 2, in the technology, the P2P server 11 decomposes the data played by the streaming media into small pieces, and then transmits the data to the plurality of P2P clients 21 being viewed through the P2P network, and the P2P clients also read between each other at the same time. Subsequent data to be played. After receiving the data, the P2P client reorganizes into streaming media data for playback. This new technology saves the bandwidth of the source of the program release by sharing the downloaded content between the clients.

However, the above prior art has the following problems:

1. The current P2P streaming media playback terminal only has a personal computer (PC), and the P2P streaming media must be equipped with a special hardware configuration of the PC during playback, and the implementation cost is high.

2. There are currently devices that convert traditional streaming media into video and audio signals. For example, a digital TV set-top box can play back streaming media programs. However, there is no device for converting P2P streaming media into video and audio digital signal output and supporting recording and playback. Only when the PC combines P2P streaming media into traditional streaming media, P2P streaming media playback can be realized by using an additional digital set-top box. Summary of the invention

The embodiment of the present invention provides a streaming media playback device for outputting a P2P streaming media program in a network to a playback device supporting digital audio and video without using a PC, so as to be viewed by a user.

The streaming media playback device provided by the present invention comprises: a peer-to-peer network interconnection P2P transmission module (1), Control module (2), data bus (4), output interface adapter (5), streaming audio and video decoder (6), network port (7) and output interface (8), P2P transmission module (1), control Module (2), output interface adapter (5), streaming audio and video decoder (6), network port (7) and output interface (8) are all connected to the data bus (4) and through the data bus (4) Transmitting data; the network interface (7) is for receiving P2P streaming media data from the network, and transmitting the data to the P2P transmission module (1); the P2P transmission module (2) is for combining the P2P streaming media data into the streaming media data; An audio and video decoder (6) for decoding streaming media data from the P2P transmission module (2) to obtain audio video data; an output interface adapter (5) for outputting from the stream through an output interface (8) Audio video data of the media audio and video decoder (6); the control module (2) is used for controlling the P2P transmission module (1), the output interface adapter (5), the streaming audio and video decoder (6), and the network interface ( 7) and output interface (8).

By using the above-mentioned streaming media playback apparatus provided by the embodiment of the present invention, P2P streaming media program content on the network can be combined from streaming media data and output to a playback device supporting digital audio and video, and does not need to use a personal computer or the like. , complex equipment. The components of the streaming media playback apparatus provided by the embodiments of the present invention are simple and inexpensive, and the cost of the entire device is greatly reduced. Moreover, the streaming media playback device provided by the embodiment of the invention is simpler to operate and convenient for the majority of users. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

1 is a schematic structural diagram of a prior art streaming media network;

2 is a schematic structural diagram of a P2P streaming media network in the prior art;

3 is a schematic structural diagram of a streaming media playback apparatus provided by the present invention;

4 is a schematic structural diagram of a streaming media playback device with a peripheral interface according to the present invention; FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a streaming media playback device with an external memory provided by the present invention. Mode for carrying out the invention

The invention is further illustrated by the following figures and examples, which are not intended to limit the invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, the streaming media playback device of the present invention is connected to the P2P transmission module 1, the control module 2, the output interface adapter 5, the streaming media audio and video decoder 6 and the network port 7, via the data bus 4, and the output interface adapter 5 The output interface 8 is connected to the upper end, so that the user can easily and conveniently display the content of the P2P streaming media program on the network through the output interface 8 to the playback device supporting the digital audio and video display.

As shown in FIG. 4, the streaming media playback apparatus of the present invention is connected to the P2P transmission module 1, the control module 2, the peripheral interface 3, the output interface adapter 5, the streaming media audio and video decoder 6, and the network interface 7 through the data bus 4, and outputs An output interface 8 is connected to the interface adapter 5. The addition of the peripheral interface 3 in Fig. 4 is an external expansion device required for a more flexible connection of the user.

As shown in FIG. 5, the streaming media playback apparatus of the present invention is connected to the P2P transmission module 1, the control module 2, the peripheral interface 3, the output interface adapter 5, the streaming media audio and video decoder 6, and the network port 7 through the data bus 4. An output interface 8 is connected to the output interface adapter 5, and an external memory 9 is connected to the peripheral interface 3. The user can store streaming media data through the added external memory 9.

The network interface 7 is responsible for charging P2P streaming media data based on Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) transmission or User Datagram Protocol (UDP) transmission from the network and transmitting it to the P2P transmission module 1, wherein the P2P media data is from the P2P media server and peer. The client watching the same show. The P2P transmission module 1 combines the received P2P streaming media data into conventional streaming media data, and transmits it to the streaming media audio and video decoder 6 under the management of the control module 2. The streaming audio and video decoder 6 performs audio video decoding on the streaming media data, restores the audio and video data, and transmits it to the output interface adapter 5. The output interface adapter 5 can adapt and convert the received audio and video data and output in different digital interface formats, such as a universal serial bus (USB). Interface format and 1394 interface format, etc.

As shown in FIG. 5, the streaming media data obtained by the P2P transmission module 1 obtained from the network may be stored in the external memory 9 through the peripheral interface 3 under the management of the control module 2, and may be needed. At the time of the control module 2, the playback output is performed, that is, the streaming media data is read from the external memory 9, and the audio video is decoded by the streaming audio/video decoder 6, restored to audio and video data, and transmitted to the output interface adapter 5 The output interface adapter 5 adapts the received audio and video data and outputs it in a different digital interface format.

The data bus 4 is the data communication interface of the entire system, and can be connected using a computer bus interface such as an industry standard architecture (ISA), an external component interconnect (PCI), or a data communication bus required by the implemented chip. The data bus technology is well known in the art of computer technology, and there are a large number of actual product applications and hardware components, which are not mentioned here.

The network interface 7 can adopt an interface based on an Internet Protocol (IP) network, such as an Ethernet card, a wireless local area network (WiFi) network card, a third generation mobile communication system (3G) data communication network, and the like, and can provide an interface module for IP switching. The network interface 7 has its own IP address, and receives P2P streaming media data by accessing the service port opened by the P2P streaming media server. The service port can be based on TCP or UDP. The network interface 7 communicates with the service port of the P2P streaming media server by using the corresponding TCP or UDP protocol, and establishes a connection with the P2P streaming media server after necessary authentication. After the connection is established, the P2P streaming media server can send and receive data to the network port module 7 through the corresponding connection. The authentication technology here can be used as a license for viewing programs, fees, and the like. The specific implementation method of such an IP-based communication interface is a well-known technology in the field of computer network communication, and is not mentioned here.

In practice, the P2P transmission module 1 can be implemented as a digital signal processing (DSP) chip, and the DSP chip is used to perform recombination operations on the P2P network streaming media data, thereby converting into ordinary streaming media data. DSP technology itself is a well-known technology that is well known. Techniques, such as field-programmable gate array (FPGA) chips, are not covered here.

In addition to using the above hardware chip to convert P2P streaming media data into ordinary streaming media data, the CPU can also run the software code stored in the random access memory (RAM) to implement the P2P network streaming media data to be recombined to be converted into Ordinary streaming media data.

The control module 2 is used to manage the human-machine interface and the function coordination between the various modules, that is, to control which modules and when and how to participate in the processing of data when completing different functions, thereby completing the functions. The control module 2 can also have more extensive functions, such as: interactive voting of programs, licenses for program viewing, charging, and the like. Embedded system development can be used in the implementation of the present invention, such as: Arm CPU chip, reduced instruction set computer (RISC), non-interlocking pipeline level microprocessor (MIPS) chip, and the like. The human-machine interactive interface of the control module 2 can be realized by a common remote control method or a button on the streaming media return device.

This is a well-known technique for streaming audio and video decoders 6. For example, Sigma Design's 8620L chip and other streaming audio and video decoding chips have the ability to decode WMV9 streaming media data into audio and video data. The streaming audio and video decoder 6 can also be implemented in a software decoding manner, and these software development techniques are also well known in the art.

The output interface adapter 5 is a digital signal output interface adaptation role in the present invention. This is to adapt the audio data and video data according to the required digital output interface. The specific format of the output interface adapter 5 can be 1394 interface adapter, USB interface adapter, high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) interface adapter and digital A digital interface adapter such as a video interface (DVI) interface adapter is a well-known technique and is output to the output interface 8 after conversion adaptation.

The specific form of the output interface 8 may be a digital interface such as a 1394 interface, a USB interface, an HDMI interface, and a DVI interface, corresponding to the output interface adapter 5, and is a common technology, and many well-known technologies can be implemented. In the implementation of the present invention, an auxiliary function chip such as an on-screen display (OSD), a graphics zoom, a video zoom, a cursor, etc., may be added to enhance and use Household interaction and body-risk.

The USB interface and 1394 interface can be combined with USB interface adapters and 1394 interface adapters to provide output for different formats. These digital interface technologies are well known in the computer arts.

Peripheral interface (I/O interface) 3 is a digital input and output interface, which can be a wired interface such as a USB interface, a parallel interface, a serial interface, and a 1394 interface, or a wireless interface such as an infrared interface, a Bluetooth interface, or a wireless LAN interface. When the invention is implemented as being built into other digital systems (eg, IPTV set-top boxes, digital television set-top boxes, etc.), the interface may be a computer bus interface, such as an ISA interface, a PCI interface, or through other interfaces such as a USB, serial interface. Interfaces such as parallel interfaces are connected to the computer. In addition to being able to extend the connection of the remote control, keyboard, mouse and other human interface devices, the peripheral interface 3 can also be extended to output the audio and video data decoded by the streaming audio and video decoder 6 to a digital interface, such as a 1394 interface. , USB interface, HDMI interface, etc. If the storage device is connected to the peripheral interface 3, the undecoded streaming media or the decoded audio and video data may also be stored in the external memory 9, for example, the streaming media data is stored in a digital security (SD) card, and the hard disk is medium. The technical implementation of such a hardware interface and its driver, which is well known in the art of computer technology, has a large number of actual product applications and hardware components, which are not mentioned here.

The external memory 9 provides functions for storing and reading data. Typical embodiments are well-known computer data storage technologies such as SD cards, Compact Flash (CF) cards, and Integrated Circuit Device (IDE) hard disks.

The above is only the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the protection of the present invention. Within the scope.

Claims

Claim

A streaming media playback device, comprising: a peer-to-peer networking connection P2P transmission module (1), a control module (2), a data bus (4), an output interface adapter (5), streaming audio and video Decoder (6), network port (7) and output interface (8), P2P transmission module (1), control module (2), output interface adapter (5), streaming audio and video decoder (6) and The network interface (7) is connected to the data bus (4) and transmits data through the data bus (4), and the output interface adapter (5) is connected to the output interface (8);

The network port (7) is used for receiving P2P streaming media data from the network and transmitting it to the P2P transmission module (1);

The P2P transmission module (2) is configured to combine P2P streaming media data into streaming media data; the streaming media audio and video decoder (6) is configured to decode streaming media data from the P2P transmission module (2) to obtain an audio video. Data

An output interface adapter (5) for outputting audio video data from the streaming audio and video decoder (6) through an output interface (8);

The control module (2) is for controlling the P2P transmission module (1), the output interface adapter (5), the streaming audio and video decoder (6), the network interface (7), and the output interface (8).

The streaming media playback device according to claim 1, wherein a peripheral interface (3) is connected to the data bus (4), and the peripheral interface (3) is used to connect an external device.

The streaming media playback device according to claim 2, wherein the peripheral interface (3) is a universal serial bus USB interface, a parallel interface, a serial interface, a 1394 interface, an infrared interface, a Bluetooth interface, A wireless LAN interface, an industry standard architecture ISA interface, or an external component interconnects the PCI interface.

4. The streaming media playback device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the peripheral interface (3) is connected to an external memory (9) for storing the streaming media data.

The streaming media playback device according to claim 4, wherein the streaming audio/video decoder (6) is further configured to decode streaming media data from an external memory (9) to obtain audio video data. .

6. The streaming media playback device of claim 1, wherein the data bus (4) is a data communication bus interconnecting PCI using an industry standard architecture ISA or an external component.

The streaming media playback device of claim 1, wherein the network interface (7) is an interface based on an Internet Protocol IP network.

8. The streaming media playback device of claim 1, wherein the P2P transmission module (1) is a digital signal processing DSP chip or a software code that runs.

The streaming media playback device of claim 1, wherein the control module (2) is an Arm CPU chip, a reduced instruction set computer RISC, or a microprocessorless MIPS chip with no interlocking pipeline stage.

10. The streaming media playback device of claim 1, wherein the streaming media audio and video decoder (6) is a streaming audio and video decoding chip or software running.

The streaming media playback device according to claim 1, wherein the output interface adapter (5) is a 1394 interface adapter, and the output interface (8) is a 1394 interface; or

The output interface adapter (5) is a USB interface adapter, and the output interface (8) is a USB interface; or

The output interface adapter (5) is a high-definition multimedia interface HDMI interface adapter, and the output interface (8) is an HDMI interface; or

The output interface adapter (5) is a digital video interface DVI interface adapter, and the output interface (8) is a DVI interface.