WO2008040211A1

WO2008040211A1 - Method for watching network television, group server and group client

Info

Publication number: WO2008040211A1
Application number: PCT/CN2007/070657
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ruisheng Huang
Original assignee: Tencent Technology (Shenzhen) Company Limited
Priority date: 2006-09-28
Filing date: 2007-09-07
Publication date: 2008-04-10
Also published as: CN101155045A; WO2008040211A8; TWI353782B; CN101155045B; TW200913694A; HK1116612A1

Abstract

A method for watching the network television, is applied to P2P live network television. The method comprises: a group client initiating the request for acquiring the information of the network television program to a group server; the group server returning the default identification information of the network television channel of this group and/or the identification information of the network television channel that other group members in this group are watching currently to the group client, based on the received request for acquiring the information of the network television program; the group client acquiring and playing the corresponding program content from the P2P network program server, based on the received identification information of the network television channel.

Description

How to watch IPTV, group server, and group client

Technical field

The present invention relates to a peer-to-peer (P2P, Peer to Peer) network live television, and more particularly to a method for watching a network television, a group server, and a group client. Background of the invention

All devices in a P2P network are equal in communication. Each device on the other end is both a client and a server, and supports the inflow and outflow of large amounts of data. P2P technology has the following features:

(1) The network device using P2P technology is both a server and a client. How to perform depends on the requirements of the user, and the network application is freely driven by the user.

(2) Information flows directly between network devices at high speed and in time, which can reduce the cost of information transfer services in the network.

(3) P2P technology constitutes the basis and application of network device interaction.

(4) While decentralizing network information, P2P network devices of the same characteristics can form subnets that exist in this large network of the Internet, so that information can be concentrated again in a new way.

P2P network TV uses P2P to transmit network programs. All users who watch the same program form a P2P network. Each user can obtain program data from other users and provide program data to other users.

The existing P2P network television playing system includes: a client and a P2P network program server. The client is connected to the P2P network program server, obtains program information and other client information currently watching the program, and then uses the obtained information to contact other clients, and performs streaming data exchange with other clients; After the streaming media data of the program is obtained, the stream supported by the player is assembled and the program is played. In the existing P2P network television playing process, only the interaction between the client and the P2P program server, and the communication between the clients watching the same program are not involved, and the true mutual communication between the clients is not realized. For example, a client cannot actively inform other clients of the network TV program that they are playing, in order to notify the client's friend client to watch the same program, and realize the interactive mode of watching the program while watching. Summary of the invention

An embodiment of the present invention provides a method for watching a network television, and a group server and a group client that can implement the method, to solve the problem that the existing technology cannot easily realize the same instant. The problem of members of the communication group watching Internet TV at the same time.

The method provided by the embodiment of the present invention includes:

A. The group client initiates a request for acquiring a network television program information to the group server;

B. The group server returns, according to the received request for acquiring the network television program information, the network television channel identification information that the group default and/or other group members of the group are currently watching, to the group client. ;

C. The group client requests the P2P network program server to obtain the corresponding program content and play according to the received network television channel identification information.

Step B: When receiving the request for acquiring the network television program information, the method further includes: the group server determining whether the group member has other group members currently viewing the network television, and if so,

Then, the group server returns the network television channel identification information currently being watched by other group members of the group to the group client that initiated the request, or returns to the default of the group and other group members of the group are currently being Watching the network TV channel identification information;

Otherwise, the group server returns the default of the group to the group client that initiated the request. Network TV channel identification information.

Preferably, the method further includes: the group client displaying, according to the received network television channel identification information, a shortcut manner for selecting a corresponding network television channel in the local window to provide a user selection;

The group client requests the P2P network program server to acquire and play the corresponding program content according to the network television channel selected by the user.

Preferably, the method may further include: the group client periodically notifying the group server of current status information of the group and the network television channel identification information being viewed; the group server according to the group The information notified by the group client periodically updates the current state information of the locally stored group members and the network television channel identification information that is viewed by the group.

Preferably, the method may further include: the group client periodically actively acquiring current state information of other group members from the group server, storing the acquired information, or updating the stored other group members. Current status information.

Or further comprising: the group server periodically actively sending the current state information of other group members stored locally and the network video channel identification information that is viewed to the group client;

The group client receives the information sent by the group server, stores the received information, or updates the stored current state information of other group members and the network television channel identification information that it has watched according to the received information.

Preferably, the method may further include: the group client initiating a channel notification request to the group server to carry network television channel identification information that is currently being watched; the group server notifying the channel notification request The carried network television channel identification information and the group client identifier that initiates the request are notified to the group client where the other group members in the same group are located; the other group client selects the notified television channel to the P2P The network program server requests to acquire the corresponding program content and play it.

Preferably, the network television channel identification information is: a program name of the corresponding channel, and/or a program identifier, and/or a current screenshot;

The notifying the network television channel identification information to the other group client is: the group server setting the program name, and/or the program identifier, and/or the current screenshot as a hyperlink to be sent to other group clients. In the current window.

The invention also provides a group server, comprising a first input/output interface module, a group service module and a storage module, further comprising: a first functional module, wherein

When the group service module receives the network client program information request initiated by the group client through the first input/output interface module, the first function module obtains the group default from the storage module. The network television channel identification information and/or the network television channel identification information currently being viewed by other group members of the group are returned to the group client that initiates the network television program information request by the first input/output interface module. end.

The group server provided by the present invention further includes: a second function module;

When the group service module receives the current status information sent by the group client and the network television channel identification information that is being viewed by the first input/output interface module, the second function module updates the The current state information of the group members stored in the storage module and the network television channel identification information that is viewed by the storage module;

When the group service module receives, by the first input/output interface module, a request sent by the group client to acquire current state information of other group members, the second function module is from the storage module. Obtaining the current state information of the stored other group members and the network TV channel identification information that is viewed by the first input/output interface module are returned to the group client.

The group server provided by the present invention further includes: a third function module;

Receiving a group by the group service module through the first input/output interface module After the channel notification request sent by the client to carry the network television channel identification information that is being watched locally, the third function module notifies the network television channel identification information carried in the channel notification request and the group client identifier that initiates the request, Notifying the group client of the other group members in the same group through the first input/output interface module.

The group server provided by the present invention further includes: a fourth function module;

The fourth function module acquires network television program information from a P2P network program server that provides network television programs and P2P network management through the first input/output interface module, and determines and updates a group default stored in the storage module. Internet TV channel information.

The present invention further provides a group client, including a second input/output interface module, a group login module, and a network television playing module, further comprising: a fifth function module;

The fifth function module is configured to initiate acquisition by the second input/output interface module to the group server after the group login module logs in to the group server by using the second input/output interface module. The network television program information request, and receiving the network television channel identification information returned by the group server, and providing the network television broadcast module to the network television broadcast module, and providing the network television program and the P2P network program managed by the P2P network The server requests to obtain the corresponding program content and play it.

The group client provided by the present invention further includes: a sixth function module;

The sixth function module periodically notifies the group server of its current state information and the network television channel identification information being watched; periodically, actively acquires the current state of other group members from the group server. Information; or receiving current status information of other group members periodically sent by the group server and network TV channel identification information viewed by the group server, and displayed in a local window.

The group client provided by the present invention further includes: a seventh function module;

The seventh function module, by using the second input/output interface module, initiates, to the group server, a channel notification request that carries the network television channel identification information that is being watched locally; And receiving the network television channel information that the other group members in the same group notified by the group server are watching, and displaying the information in the local window for the user to select; after capturing the television channel that the user selects the notification, starting the The network television playing module requests the P2P network program server to acquire and play the corresponding program content.

The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

(1) In the method of the present invention, when the group client logs in to the group server, initiates a request for acquiring the network television program information; and the group server returns the default network television channel identification information of the group to the group client; or Return to the network TV channel identification information currently being watched by other group members of the group; or return to the network TV channel identification information that the group defaults and other group members of the group are currently watching; the group client will group The network television channel identification information returned by the group server provides user selection, and according to the network television channel selected by the user, requests the P2P network program server that provides the network television program and the P2P network management to acquire the corresponding program content and play it. In this way, the client can obtain the network television channel that other clients in the same group are watching, or the default network television channel of the group, and then can watch the same or different from other clients in the same group according to the user's choice. Internet TV programs, and can easily interact with other clients in the same group to enhance the user's business experience.

(2) The present invention also causes the group client to periodically report its current state information and the network television channel identification information being viewed, and the group server updates the current state information of the locally stored group members and the network television channel identifiers that are viewed by the group server. Information; when the group server receives the current state information request initiated by the group client period to obtain other group members, returns the current state information of other group members stored locally and the network television channel identification information that is viewed by the group server; The group client stores the current state information of other group members returned by the group server and the network TV channel identification information of the group, and displays the information in the local window in real time, realizing the real-time update of the group member status information, and making each group member Can know other group members in real time The network TV channel that is being watched, which facilitates information interaction between group members of the same group. In this document, group members included in the same group refer to group clients included in the same group.

(3) The group client of the present invention may also initiate a channel notification request, so that a group member proposes that other group members watch a certain television program together, and the group server notifies the channel identifier of the request notification to each group. The group member, and directly displays the name of the corresponding program or the screenshot identifier in the current window of the group member, and accepts the user to directly select and obtain the corresponding program content and play. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

1 is a schematic diagram of a network connection of a group member watching a network television at the same time; FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method according to the present invention;

3 is a schematic structural diagram of a group server provided by the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a group client provided by the present invention. Mode for carrying out the invention

The method for watching a network television provided by the present invention is applied to a live broadcast of a P2P network, and the method includes:

The group client initiates a request for obtaining a network television program information to the group server; the group server returns the default network television channel identification information of the group to the group client; or returns a network that the other group members of the group are currently watching. TV channel identification information; or return to the network television channel identification information that is currently being viewed by the group and other group members of the group;

The group client requests the P2P network program server to acquire and play the corresponding program content according to the received network television channel identification information.

A schematic diagram of the connection between entities in the network when the members of the group of the present invention simultaneously watch the network television Figure 1, which includes:

P2P network program server: A group of server clusters for network television broadcasting, which mainly provide network program information, maintain information of P2P network nodes, and manage P2P networks;

Instant messaging group server: Its main functions are: maintaining group membership, forwarding instant messaging messages within the group, maintaining a list of programs currently playing in the current group and member status, communicating with the P2P network program server, updating program information, etc.;

Group client: Receive status information of other members in the group, send program notification messages to other group members through the group server, accept management of P2P network program server, exchange data, exchange data with other clients, and decode And play the show.

The above method of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. See Figure 2, including the following steps:

Step S101: The group client logs in to the group server.

Step S102: The group client initiates a request for acquiring a network television program information to the group server.

Step S103, the group server determines whether the group has other group members are currently watching the network television, and if so, executing step S104; otherwise, executing step S105;

Step S104: Return to the group client that initiated the request, the network television channel identification information currently being watched by other group members of the group, or return to the network that the group defaults and other group members of the group are currently watching. TV channel identification information; performing step S106; step S105, returning only the default network television channel identification information of the group to the group client that initiated the request; performing step S106;

Step S106: The group client provides the user selection by using the network television channel identification information returned by the group server. The specific implementation method is as follows:

The group client displays a shortcut for selecting a corresponding TV channel in the local window according to the network television channel identification information returned by the group server, and provides a user selection; Step S107, starting screen capture;

Step S108, determining whether the network television channel information selected by the user is captured, if it is captured, executing step S109; otherwise, proceeding to step S107;

Step S109: Request, according to the captured network television channel selected by the user, the P2P network program server that provides the network television program and the P2P network management to acquire and play the corresponding program content. The specific program content acquisition and playing method is the same as the P2P network television playing mode in the prior art. For example, the group client carries the network TV channel ID selected by the user, and requests the P2P network program server to obtain the corresponding program content and other network clients. End information, the P2P network program server returns the program content and other client address information requesting the same channel program, and the specific streaming media data acquisition and playback are all existing technologies in the P2P network, and will not be described in detail herein.

In the above method provided by the present invention, the group client may also periodically notify the group server of its current state information and the network television channel identification information being viewed; the group server according to the information notified by the group client, Store or update the current status information of the stored group members and the network TV channel identification information they watched.

In the above method provided by the present invention, the group client may also actively acquire from the group server periodically and update the current state information of the stored other group members.

The group server may also periodically send the current state information of other group members stored locally and the network television channel identification information that is viewed to the group client.

The group client stores or updates the current state information of other stored group members and the network television channel identification information that is viewed according to the information sent by the group server. The network TV channel identification information that it watches is displayed in the local window for the user to select.

The current status information of the group member, for example: including the instant communication ID, name, online status, and avatar ID of the group member. If the group server returns a member is receiving When watching Internet TV, in the list of members displayed in the group client window, an icon indicating that the member is watching the Internet TV may be added to clearly indicate that the member is watching the Internet TV, and may also be watching according to the member being received. The network TV channel identifier is displayed, and the corresponding channel number or the corresponding program name is displayed. The specific channel number or program name is delivered by the group server.

When the group server returns the current status information of the other group members and the network television channel identification information of the group members to the group client, the group index table may be returned, including the channel ID, the corresponding program name, and the viewing of the channel. All group client IDs. After receiving the program index table, the group client displays to the user in the local window. When the user clicks the set hyperlink, the corresponding program data is requested and played to the P2P network program.

In particular, in order to facilitate a group member to propose other group members to watch a certain television program together, in the method of the present invention, the group client may also initiate a channel notification request to the group server to carry the network television that is being watched locally. Channel identification information, the group server notifies the group identifier of the request notification to each group member, and directly displays the name of the corresponding program or the current screenshot in the current window of the group member, after accepting the user's selection, directly Start to get the corresponding program content and play it.

For example: Set a "Notify My Channel" shortcut button on the group client. When the group client captures the user clicking the shortcut button, it initiates a channel notification request to the group server, requesting the group server to be watching locally. The network television channel is notified to each online group member; after receiving the channel notification request, the group server queries the program name corresponding to the channel requesting the notification, the program identification or the current screenshot of the corresponding program, etc., and the program name, The program identification or the current screenshot is set to be sent to the current window of the group client where the other group members are located; when the group client of the other group member captures the user clicking the corresponding hyperlink, requesting the P2P network program server to obtain the hyperlink Corresponding to the program content and playing.

The group server sends a channel letter to a group client requesting notification of a group member At the time of the interest, you can also send the corresponding descriptive text together, such as "Li Si is watching the robot cat 05, please enjoy it together", etc., so that the same group of users enhance the sense of belonging and intimacy.

According to the above method provided by the present invention, the present invention provides a group server 10, which is shown in FIG. 3, and includes a first input/output interface module 101, a group service module 102, and a storage module 103, and further includes: The first function module 104;

When the group service module 102 receives the network client program information request initiated by the group client through the first input/output interface module 101, the first function module 104 obtains the default network television of the group from the storage module 103. The channel identification information, or the network television channel identification information currently being watched by other group members of the group, or the network television channel identification information currently selected by the group and other group members of the group, through the first input The /output interface module 101 returns to the group client that initiated the network television program information request.

The group server 10 provided by the present invention further includes: a second function module 105;

When the group service module 102 receives the current state information sent by the group client and the network television channel identification information that is being viewed by the first input/output interface module 101, the second function module 105 updates the storage in the storage module 103. The current status information of the group members and the network television channel identification information of the group members;

When the group service module 102 receives the request of the group client to obtain the current state information of the other group members through the first input/output interface module 101, the second function module 105 acquires the stored information from the storage module 103. The current status information of the other group members and the network television channel identification information they watched are returned to the group client that initiated the acquisition request through the first input/output interface module 101.

The group server 10 provided by the present invention further includes: a third function module 106;

After the group service module 102 receives the channel notification request sent by the group client that carries the network television channel identification information that is being watched locally through the first input/output interface module 101, the third function module 106 carries the channel notification request. Network TV channel identification letter And the group client identifier that initiates the request is notified to the group client of the other group members in the same group through the first input/output interface module 101.

The group server 10 provided by the present invention further includes: a fourth function module 107;

The fourth function module 107 provides a network from the first input/output interface module 101

The present invention also provides a group client, as shown in FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a group client provided by the present invention. The group client 20 in the figure includes at least a second input/output interface module 201, a group login module 202, a network television playing module 203, and a fifth function module 204. among them,

The fifth function module 204 is configured to: after the group login module 202 logs in to the group server through the second input/output interface module 201, initiate a request for acquiring the network television program information to the group server, and receive the return of the group server. The network television channel identification information is provided to the network television playing module 203, and the network television playing module 203 requests the P2P network program server that provides the network television program and the P2P network management to obtain the corresponding program content through the second input/output interface module 201. And play.

The group client 20 provided by the present invention may further include: a sixth function module 205; a sixth function module 205, periodically notifying the group server of its current state information and being viewed by the second input/output interface module 201 The network television channel identification information, periodically acquiring the current state information of the other group members from the group server; or the network television channel identification information of the viewing.

The group client 20 provided by the present invention may further include: a seventh function module 206, and a seventh function module 206, by using the second input/output interface module 201, to initiate, to the group server, the network television channel identification information that is being watched locally. Channel notification request; Receiving the network television channel information that the other group members in the same group notified by the group server are watching, displayed in the local window for the user to select; when capturing the television channel selected by the user to select the notification, starting the network television broadcast The module 203 requests the P2P network program server to acquire the corresponding program content and play it.

In summary, in the method of the present invention, when the group client logs in to the group server, initiates a request for acquiring the network television program information; and the group server returns the default network television channel identification information of the group to the group client; Or return the network TV channel identification information currently being watched by other group members of the group; or return the network TV channel identification information that the group defaults and other group members of the group are currently watching; the group client will The network television channel identification information returned by the group server provides a user selection, and according to the network television channel selected by the user, requests the P2P network program server that provides the network television program and the P2P network management to acquire the corresponding program content and play it. In this way, it is realized that the same group member obtains the network television channel that the other members of the group are watching, or the default network television channel of the group, and realizes watching the same network television program at the same time, so that the members of the same group can watch the program. Chat while improving the user experience.

The present invention also enables the group client to periodically report its current state information and the network television channel identification information being watched, and the group server updates the current state information of the locally stored group members and the network television channel identification information that is viewed; When the group server receives the current state information request initiated by the group client period to obtain other group members, it returns the current state information of other group members stored locally and the network television channel identification information that is viewed by the group server; Stores the current status information of other group members returned by the group server and the network TV channel identification information of the group, and displays them in the local window in real time, realizing the real-time update of the group member status information, and enabling each group member to obtain real-time Know the network TV channels that other group members are watching, which is convenient for user interaction.

The group client of the present invention can also initiate a channel notification request, which is convenient for a certain group composition. The staff proposes that other group members watch a certain TV program together, and the group server notifies the group identifier of the request notification to each group member, and directly displays the name or screenshot identifier of the corresponding program in the current window of the group member. Wait, accept the user to click directly to get the corresponding program content and play. It is within the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and the modifications of the invention

Claims

Rights request

A method for watching a network television, characterized in that it comprises:

A. The group client initiates a request for acquiring network television program information to the group server;

B. The group server returns the network television channel identification information to the group client according to the received network television program information request;

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, when the step B receives the request for acquiring a network television program information, the method further comprises: the group server determining whether the group has other groups Group members are currently watching Internet TV.

If yes, the group server returns the network television channel identification information currently being watched by other group members of the group to the group client that initiated the request, or returns the default group and other groups of the group at the same time. The network television channel identification information currently being viewed by the member; otherwise, the group server returns the default network television channel identification information of the group to the group client that initiated the request.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises: the group client displaying a shortcut for selecting a corresponding network television channel in the local window according to the received network television channel identification information. , providing user choices;

And acquiring the corresponding program content and playing: the group client requests the P2P network program server to acquire the corresponding program content and play according to the network television channel selected by the user.

4. The method of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the method further comprises:

The group client periodically notifies the group server of its current state information and network television channel identification information being viewed; The group server periodically updates the current state information of the locally stored group members and the network television channel identification information that is viewed by the group server according to the information notified by the group client.

The method according to claim 4, wherein the method further comprises: the group client periodically actively acquiring current state information of other group members from the group server, and storing the acquired Information or update current status information for other group members that have been stored.

The method according to claim 4, wherein the method further comprises: the group server periodically actively sending the current state information of other group members stored locally and the viewing thereof to the group client. Network TV channel identification information; the group client receives the information sent by the group server, stores the received information, or updates the stored current status information of other group members and the viewing thereof according to the received information. Network TV channel identification information.

The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises: the group client initiating a channel notification request to the group server, and carrying the network television channel identification information currently being watched;

The group server notifies the network television channel identification information carried in the channel notification request and the group client identifier that initiates the request to other group clients in the same group;

The other group client selects the notified television channel, requests the P2P network program server to acquire the corresponding program content and plays.

The method according to claim 7, wherein the network television channel identification information is: a program name of a corresponding channel, and/or a program identifier, and/or a current screenshot; the network television channel identification information Notifying the other group clients is: The group server sets the program name, and/or program identification, and/or the current screenshot as a hyperlink to be sent to the current window of the other group client.

A group server, comprising a first input/output interface module, a group service module, and a storage module, further comprising: a first function module;

The group server according to claim 9, further comprising: a second function module;

When the group service module receives, by the first input/output interface module, a request sent by the group client to acquire current state information of other group members, the second function module is from the storage module. Obtaining the current state information of the stored other group members and the network television channel identification information that is viewed by the first input/output interface module are returned to the group client.

The group server according to claim 9, further comprising: a third function module;

After the group service module receives, by the first input/output interface module, a channel notification request that is sent by the group client to carry the network television channel identification information that is being watched locally, the third function module The network television channel identification information carried in the channel notification request and the group client identifier that initiates the request are notified to the group client of the other group members in the same group through the first input/output interface module.

The group server according to any one of claims 9 to 11, further comprising: a fourth function module;

A group client, comprising a second input/output interface module, a group login module, and a network television playing module, further comprising: a fifth function module;

The group client according to claim 13, further comprising: a sixth function module;

The sixth function module periodically notifies the group server of its current state information and the network television channel identification information being watched; periodically, actively acquires the current state of other group members from the group server. Information; or receiving current status information of other group members periodically sent by the group server and network television channel identification information that is viewed by the group server.

The group client according to claim 13 or 14, further comprising: a seventh function module;

The seventh function module, by using the second input/output interface module, initiates, to the group server, a channel notification request that carries the network television channel identification information that is being watched locally; and receives the same group notified by the group server Other group members in the group are watching The network television channel information is displayed in the local window for the user to select; after capturing the television channel that the user selects the notification, the network television playing module is started to request the P2P network program server to obtain the corresponding program content and play.