WO2011029305A1

WO2011029305A1 - System and method for acquiring information of electronic programmer guide servers

Info

Publication number: WO2011029305A1
Application number: PCT/CN2010/072168
Authority: WO
Inventors: 熊慧; 程岑
Original assignee: 中兴通讯股份有限公司
Priority date: 2009-09-10
Filing date: 2010-04-23
Publication date: 2011-03-17
Also published as: CN101646054A

Abstract

A system and a method for acquiring information of Electronic Programmer Guide (EPG) servers are provided. Wherein, an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) terminal sends broadcasting packets which request addresses of the EPG servers to the EPG servers; after receiving the broadcasting packets which are sent by the IPTV terminal to request the addresses of the EPG servers, the EPG servers send messages containing their addresses to the IPTV terminal; the IPTV terminal receives the addresses of the EPG servers replied by the EPG servers. The solution provided enables the IPTV terminal to select and switch freely among EPG servers provided by all operators, and diversified IPTV services can be used by users; the bother that modifying configuration and resetting the IPTV terminal frequently are also avoided to the users.

Description

System and method for obtaining EPG server information

The present invention relates to the field of network communication technologies, and in particular, to a system and method for acquiring information of an EPG server. Background technique

Internet Protocol Television (IPTV), also known as Internet TV, refers to a television broadcast service based on Internet Protocol (IP). The IPTV service uses a television or a personal computer as a display terminal to provide video services, information page browsing, and value-added services such as games, shopping, and securities services to users through a broadband network. The user terminal of the IPTV service, that is, the IPTV terminal, may be a set-top box (STB) or a personal computer (PC).

In the IPTV system, the entry address of the IPTV service is provided by the Electronic Programmer Guide (EPG) server, so the IPTV terminal can only use the relevant IPTV service if it is connected to the EPG server.

For an existing IPTV system, the address of the EPG server is configured in advance by the operator or the user. During the entire operation after the startup, the IPTV terminal can only interact with one EPG server, and usually the user Only know the address of one or a few EPG servers that have opened a business. However, the services provided by a single operator are often limited, so the existing implementation is obviously not conducive to users using a variety of IPTV services. In addition, if the user wants to switch between EPG servers provided by several operators, the configuration must be modified, and then the IPTV terminal can be shut down and restarted, which is very inconvenient to operate.

Therefore, it is necessary to find a way to solve the problem of how to enable the user to quickly find the EPG server provided by each operator, and freely choose between them, and conveniently enjoy the diversification. The problem of IPTV service. Summary of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a system for acquiring EPG server information, which enables the IPTV terminal to freely select between EPG servers provided by operators.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for acquiring EPG server information, which can realize the problem that an IPTV terminal can freely choose between EPG servers provided by operators.

In order to solve the above technical problem, the technical solution of the present invention is implemented as follows:

A system for obtaining electronic program guide (EPG) server information, comprising:

An interactive network television (IPTV) terminal, configured to send a broadcast packet requesting an EPG server address to the EPG server, and receive an EPG server address replied by the EPG server;

The EPG server is configured to send a message including the address of the EPG server to the IPTV terminal after receiving the broadcast packet from the IPTV terminal requesting the EPG server address.

The IPTV terminal includes:

Obtaining an address unit, configured to send a message requesting an EPG server address to the messaging unit; and parsing the EPG server address according to the message replied by the EPG server received by the messaging unit, and storing the message;

The message sending and receiving unit is configured to send the message requesting the EPG server address of the address unit to the broadcast packet, and receive the message replied by each EPG server.

The IPTV terminal further includes: a first timer,

After the sending and receiving unit sends the broadcast packet to the EPG server for the first time, the sending and receiving unit further uses: triggering the first timer to start timing;

The first timer is configured to remind the acquiring address unit that the current EPG server address operation is completed when the timing reaches the time when the predetermined EPG server address operation completion time is reached;

The acquiring the address unit is further configured to: when receiving the reminder of the first timer, provide the currently acquired EPG server address to the user in a list form. The IPTV terminal further includes: a second timer,

After the sending and receiving unit sends the broadcast packet to the EPG server, the method further includes: triggering the second timer to start timing;

The second timer is configured to remind the message sending and receiving unit to send a request timeout when the time reaches the time that the last time the broadcast packet was sent exceeds the set sending time interval;

The message sending and receiving unit is further configured to: when receiving the reminder of the sending request of the second timer, and still not receiving the message replied by the EPG server, resending the current broadcast packet.

The IPTV terminal is further configured to: provide the obtained EPG server address to the user, and connect to the corresponding EPG server according to the EPG server address selected by the user.

The IPTV terminal is a set top box or a personal computer.

A method of obtaining server information, the method comprising:

A. The IPTV terminal sends a broadcast packet requesting the EPG server address to the EPG server;

B. After receiving the broadcast packet from the IPTV terminal requesting the EPG server address, the EPG server sends a message including its own address to the IPTV terminal, and the IPTV terminal receives the EPG server address replied by the EPG server.

The method further includes:

C. The IPTV terminal provides the obtained EPG server address to the user, and connects to the corresponding EPG server according to the EPG server address selected by the user.

The step A further includes: after the IPTV terminal first sends the broadcast packet to the EPG server, starting timing;

The IPTV terminal provides the EPG server address obtained by the IPTV terminal to the user, and the IPTV terminal provides the EPG server address that has been obtained in the form of a list to the user when the scheduled completion time of the EPG server address is reached.

The step A further includes: The IPTV terminal determines whether the current distance from the last time the broadcast packet was sent exceeds the set transmission time interval. If yes, and still does not receive the message replied by the EPG server, resend the current broadcast packet; otherwise, continue to wait until it reaches The set transmission interval.

The IPTV terminal is a set top box or a personal computer.

The beneficial effects of the present invention are: The system and method for selecting an IPTV terminal among a plurality of EPG servers according to the present invention solves the problem that the IPTV terminal is freely selected and switched between EPG servers provided by respective operators. In the solution of the present invention, the address of all the EPG servers that can be used by the user can be displayed in the form of a list. If necessary, the user can contact the operator to open a related service. If the service is already established on the EPG server, the user can After selecting the EPG server, enter the relevant username and password to connect to the EPG server to use its services. When the IPTV terminal is powered on or when the user presses the "system switch" button, the IPTV terminal enables the process provided by the present invention to complete the free switch between the EPG servers provided by the operators, so that the user can enjoy more The IPTV service also eliminates the need for users to frequently modify the configuration and restart the IPTV terminal. For operators, this approach is also very beneficial to the promotion of IPTV services. DRAWINGS

1 is a schematic structural diagram of an IPTV system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a flowchart of a method for acquiring an EPG server information by an IPTV terminal according to the present invention; FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method for selecting an IPTV terminal between EPG servers of each operator according to an embodiment of the present invention. detailed description

The basic idea of the present invention is: The IPTV terminal sends a broadcast packet requesting an EPG server address to the EPG server; the EPG server receives the broadcast packet, and sends a message including the own address to the IPTV terminal; and the IPTV terminal receives the EPG server address replied by the EPG server. further, The IPTV terminal connects to the corresponding EPG server according to the EPG server address selected by the user. Hereinafter, a system and method for acquiring an EPG server information by an IPTV terminal of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

As shown in FIG. 1, the IPTV system of the present invention includes an IPTV terminal and an EPG server. The IPTV terminal is configured to send a broadcast packet requesting an EPG server address to the EPG server, and receive an EPG server address replied by the EPG server; further configured to provide the obtained EPG server address to the user, and select the EPG required to be connected at the user. After the server address is connected to the corresponding EPG server, the EPG server is configured to send a message including the address of the EPG server to the IPTV terminal after receiving the broadcast packet requesting the EPG server address sent by the IPTV terminal.

Specifically, the IPTV terminal includes an acquiring address unit and a messaging unit.

The obtaining address unit is configured to send a message requesting the EPG server address to the message receiving unit; and parsing the corresponding EPG server address for storage according to the message replied by the EPG server received by the messaging unit.

The messaging unit is configured to send the message requesting the EPG server address of the address unit in a broadcast packet, and receive the message replied by each EPG server.

In addition, the IPTV terminal further includes a first timer. After the first sending of the broadcast packet to the EPG server, the messaging unit is further configured to trigger the first timer to start timing. The first timer is used to complete the scheduled EPG server address completion time. When t2, the operation of obtaining the EPG server address by the address unit is reminded to be completed;

The obtaining the address unit is further configured to, when receiving the reminder of the first timer, provide the currently obtained EPG server address to the user in a list form.

In addition, the IPTV terminal further includes a second timer, where the messaging unit sends the broadcast packet to the EPG server, and is further used to trigger the second timer to start timing; the second timer is used to exceed the time when the broadcast packet is sent last time. When the set transmission interval is tl, the reminding message transmitting unit sends a request timeout; The message sending and receiving unit is further configured to: when receiving the reminder that the sending request of the second timer expires, and still not receiving the message replied by the EPG server, resending the current broadcast packet.

As shown in FIG. 2, the method for the IPTV terminal of the present invention to acquire multiple EPG server information includes the following steps:

Step 100: The IPTV terminal sends a broadcast packet requesting an EPG server address to the EPG server.

Step 200: After receiving the broadcast packet sent by the IPTV terminal requesting the EPG server address, the EPG server sends a message including the address to the IPTV terminal.

Step 300: The IPTV terminal receives the EPG server address replied by the EPG server, provides the EPG server address to the user, and connects to the corresponding EPG server after the user selects the EPG server address to be connected.

In the step 100, the method further includes the following steps: After the IPTV terminal sends the broadcast packet to the EPG server for the first time, it starts timing. When the predetermined time is reached, it indicates that the current EPG server address operation is completed; the IPTV terminal will obtain the currently acquired EPG server. The address is provided to the user as a list.

In addition, in step 100, the following steps may be further included: the IPTV terminal determines whether the current distance from the last time the broadcast packet was sent exceeds the set transmission time interval t1, and if yes, and still does not receive the message replied by the EPG server, Resend the current broadcast packet; otherwise, continue to wait until the set transmission interval tl is reached.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the embodiment of the present invention, an IPTV terminal selects between EPG servers of each operator. In this embodiment, the IPTV terminal is a set top box, and the following steps are included: Step 31: The set top box sends a request for the EPG server. Broadcast packet of address;

Step 32: If the EPG server receives a reply to the broadcast packet, parses out the corresponding EPG server address and saves it in the memory;

Step 33: If the distance is the first time the broadcast packet requesting the EPG server address is sent, Less than time t2, it indicates that the set-top box is still in the request phase of the EPG server address, proceeds to step 34, otherwise proceeds to step 35;

Step 34: If the set-top box is in the request phase of the EPG server address, and the time since the last time the request was sent has exceeded the time t1, proceed to step 31, and send the broadcast packet requesting the EPG server address again, otherwise query whether the set-top box receives the EPG server. Reply to the broadcast packet, proceed to step 32;

Step 35: Display all the EPG server addresses received by the set top box to the user in a list for the user to select;

Step 36: The user selects the address of the EPG server that is required to be connected, and enters the user name and password in the prompt box provided by the set top box;

Step 37: The set top box splices the EPG server address, user name and password into a Uniform Resource Locator (URL), and then sends a connection request to the EPG server corresponding to the EPG server address.

In the subsequent processing, if the user wants to switch to another EPG server, it can be realized by selecting the EPG server address again. After receiving the user input selection, the set top box sends a connection request to the corresponding EPG server.

In summary, the system and method for selecting an IPTV terminal between a plurality of EPG servers according to the present invention solves the problem that the IPTV terminal is freely selected and switched between EPG servers provided by operators. In the solution of the present invention, the address of all the EPG servers that can be used by the user can be displayed in the form of a list. If necessary, the user can contact the operator to open a related service. If the service is already established on the EPG server, the user can After selecting the EPG server, enter the relevant username and password to connect to the EPG server to use its services. When the IPTV terminal is powered on or when the user presses the "system switch" button, the IPTV terminal enables the above process, and the user can freely switch between the EPG servers provided by the operators, so that the user can enjoy more diverse. IPTV service also eliminates the need for users to frequently modify the configuration And the trouble of restarting the IPTV terminal. For operators, this approach is also very beneficial to the promotion of IPTV services.

The above is a detailed description of the present invention to enable those skilled in the art to understand the present invention. It is contemplated that other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. Variations and modifications are within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claim

A system for acquiring electronic program listing (EPG) server information, comprising:

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the IPTV terminal comprises: an obtaining address unit, configured to send a message requesting an EPG server address to a messaging unit; and receiving according to the messaging unit The message replied by the EPG server resolves the EPG server address and stores it.

The system of claim 2, wherein the IPTV terminal further comprises: a first timer,

The obtaining the address unit is further configured to: when receiving the reminder of the first timer, provide the currently acquired EPG server address to the user in a list form.

The system of claim 2, wherein the IPTV terminal further comprises: a second timer,

After the sending and receiving unit sends the broadcast packet to the EPG server, the method further includes: triggering the second timer to start timing; The second timer is configured to remind the message sending and receiving unit to send a request timeout when the time reaches the time that the last time the broadcast packet was sent exceeds the set sending time interval;

The system according to claim 1, wherein the IPTV terminal is further configured to: provide the obtained EPG server address to the user, and connect to the corresponding EPG server according to the EPG server address selected by the user.

The system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the IPTV terminal is a set top box or a personal computer.

7. A method for obtaining server information, the method comprising:

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the method further comprises:

9. The method of claim 8 wherein:

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein the step A further includes Includes:

The IPTV terminal determines whether the current distance from the last time the broadcast packet was sent exceeds the set transmission time interval. If yes, and still does not receive the message replied by the EPG server, resend the current broadcast packet; otherwise, continue to wait until it reaches The set transmission interval.

The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the IPTV terminal is a set top box or a personal computer.