WO2012126349A1

WO2012126349A1 - Method for implementing segmented program playback control, server and client

Info

Publication number: WO2012126349A1
Application number: PCT/CN2012/072598
Authority: WO
Inventors: 赵宇
Original assignee: 中兴通讯股份有限公司
Priority date: 2011-03-21
Filing date: 2012-03-20
Publication date: 2012-09-27
Also published as: CN102694823A

Abstract

A method for implementing segmented program playback control, a server and a client. The segmented program includes one or more segments. The method includes: a server configures playback duration control parameters for each segment in the segmented program according to the needed playback duration, with the playback duration control parameters including a playback start time and/or playback end time; and when playing the segmented program, a client executes playback control on each segment according to the playback duration control parameters of each segment in the segmented program. The method can dynamically adjust the playback duration and playback contents of the segmented program, thus decreasing the complexity of making segments and improving the viewing experience of the user.

Description

Method, server and client for realizing segmented program play control

Technical field

The present invention relates to the field of multimedia, and in particular to a method and system for controlling playback of a segmented program in a DASH (Dynamic adaptive streaming over HTTP) system. Background technique

The traditional streaming service is based on RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol)/RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol). However, due to the shortcomings of RTSP/RTP in the firewall, the development of streaming media services based on Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) in the past two years, namely DASH (Dynamic adaptive streaming over HTTP), is based on hypertext transfer protocol. Dynamically adjusted streaming service). Like other streaming services, DASH also supports on-demand and live broadcast services.

Since the HTTP protocol is essentially a text transfer protocol, it is not suitable for real-time streaming media transmission. In order to facilitate the functions of live playback and downloading while viewing, the program content is usually physically or logically divided into a number of small segments. The client plays one or more segments of the media file each time according to the program index table (MPD: Media Presentation Description, including the index of the media segment), and then decodes and plays the downloaded data.

Since the playback is based on segmentation as a basic unit, problems such as precise insertion cannot be achieved in a scene such as an advertisement insertion. For example, a streaming server using DASH is broadcasting a football game show. Both sides of the game are still level after the overtime and need to pass the penalty shootout to decide the outcome. After the end of the overtime game, an ad needs to be inserted before the start of the penalty shootout. But the time between the end of the overtime game and the start of the penalty shootout is uncertain. If you insert a short ad, you will continue to insert another ad. If you insert a long ad, the ad must be played before you can return to the game, which is obviously unacceptable. Summary of the invention The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a method, a server and a client for realizing segmented program play control, which can dynamically adjust the play duration and the play content of the segmented program, thereby reducing the complexity and improvement of the segmentation process. User's viewing experience.

In order to solve the above technical problem, the present invention provides a method for implementing segmented program playback control, the segmented program includes one or more segments, and the method includes:

The server configures a play duration control parameter for each segment in the segmented program according to the length of time required for playing, and the play duration control parameter includes a play start time and/or a play end time;

When the client plays the segmented program, the playback control is performed on the segments according to the play duration control parameters of the segments in the segmented program.

Preferably, the above method may also have the following features:

The server carries the play duration control parameter of each segment in the segmented program in a program index table (MPD) of the segmented program;

The client downloads the MPD, and obtains a play duration control parameter of each segment in the segmented program.

Preferably, the above method may also have the following features:

The server configures the play duration control parameters for the segmentation to include:

Determining a play start time of the segment; calculating a sum of a play start time of the segment and a duration required for the segment play to obtain a play end time of the segment; Setting a play duration control parameter of the segment by a play start time and a play end time;

Or determining a playback end time of the segment; calculating a difference between a playback end time of the segment and a duration required for the segment playback to obtain a playback start time of the segment; The play start time and the play end time configure the play duration control parameters of the segment.

Preferably, the above method may also have the following features:

The setting, by the server, the play duration control parameter of the segment according to the segmentation start time and the play end time includes: configuring a play duration control parameter of the segment to include a play start time and a play bundle time of the segment;

The performing, by the client, the play control on the segment according to the segmented play duration control parameter includes: When the play duration control parameter of the segment includes a play start time and a play bundle time, the segment is controlled to start playing from the play start time, and the play end time stops playing.

Preferably, the above method may also have the following features:

Configuring the playback duration control parameter of the segment according to the playback start time and the playback end time of the segment includes: configuring, when determining that the playback start time of the segment corresponds to a beginning position of the segment The segmentation play duration control parameter only includes the play end time of the segment; the client performing play control on the segment according to the segment play duration control parameter includes: playing duration control parameter in the segment When only the playback end time is included, the segment is controlled to start playing from the beginning, and the playback end time is stopped.

Preferably, the above method may also have the following features:

The configuring, by the server, the play duration control parameter of the segment according to the playback start time and the play end time of the segment includes: configuring the segment when determining that the playback end time of the segment corresponds to the end position of the segment The play duration control parameter of the segment only includes the play start time of the segment; the client performs play control on the segment according to the segment play duration control parameter, including: the play duration control parameter of the segment only When the play start time is included, the segment is controlled to start playing from the play start time, and the end position of the segment is stopped.

Preferably, the above method may also have the following features:

Determining, by the client, the duration of the segmentation play according to the segmentation duration control parameter, determining whether the duration of the segmentation is greater than the total duration of the segment, and if greater than, repeating the playing Segmented until the length of time it plays is equal to the length of time it needs to be played.

In order to solve the above technical problem, the present invention also provides a server for implementing segmented program play control, the segmented program includes one or more segments, and the server includes:

The configuration module is configured to: configure a play duration control parameter for each segment in the segmented program according to the length of time required to be played, where the play duration control parameter includes a play start time and/or a play end time.

Preferably, the above server may also have the following characteristics:

The encapsulation module is configured to: carry the play duration control parameter of each segment in the segmentation program in a program index table (MPD) of the segmentation program. Preferably, the above server may also have the following characteristics:

The configuration module can include:

a first configuration unit, configured to: determine a playback start time of the segment;

An operation unit, configured to: calculate a sum of a play start time of the segment and a duration required for the segment play to obtain a play end time of the segment;

And a second configuration unit, configured to: configure a play duration control parameter of the segment according to the play start time and the play end time of the segment.

Preferably, the above server may also have the following characteristics:

The configuration module may also include:

a first configuration unit, configured to: determine a playback end time of the segment;

An operation unit, configured to: calculate a difference between a playback end time of the segment and a duration required for the segment playback to obtain a playback start time of the segment;

Preferably, the above server may also have the following characteristics:

The second configuration unit is further configured to: configure a play duration control parameter of the segment to include a play start time and a play bundle time of the segment.

Preferably, the above server may also have the following characteristics:

The first configuration unit is further configured to: send a first control instruction to the second configuration unit when determining that a playback start time of the segment corresponds to a beginning position of the segment;

The second configuration unit is further configured to: configure, according to the first control instruction, a play duration control parameter of the segment to only include a play end time of the segment.

Preferably, the above server may also have the following characteristics:

The first configuration unit is further configured to: send a second control instruction to the second configuration unit when determining that a playback end time of the segment corresponds to an end position of the segment;

The second configuration unit is further configured to: configure, according to the second control instruction, a play duration control parameter of the segment to only include a play start time of the segment. In order to solve the above technical problem, the present invention further provides a client that implements segmented program play control, the segmented program includes one or more segments, and the client includes:

a play control module, configured to: when playing the segmented program, perform play control on each segment according to a play duration control parameter configured for each segment in the play segment program;

The play duration control parameters include a play start time and/or a play end time.

Preferably, the above client may also have the following characteristics:

The obtaining module is configured to: obtain a play duration control parameter of each segment in the segmented program from a program index table (MPD) of the segmented program.

Preferably, the above client may also have the following characteristics:

The playing control module performs play control on the segment according to the segmented play duration control parameter, including:

When the play duration control parameter only includes the play end time, the segment is controlled to start playing from the play start time, and the play end time stops playing;

When the play duration control parameter only includes the play end time, the segment is controlled to start playing from the beginning, and the play end time stops playing;

When the play duration control parameter includes only the play start time, the segment is controlled to start playing from the play start time, and the end position of the segment is stopped.

Preferably, the above client may also have the following characteristics:

The play control module is further configured to: when performing play control on the segment, calculate a duration required for the segment play according to the play duration control parameter of the segment, and determine whether the duration of the segment play is greater than The total duration of the segment, if greater, repeats the segment until the duration of its playback is equal to the length of time it needs to be played.

The method, the server and the client for implementing the segmented program play control provided by the embodiment of the invention can dynamically adjust the play duration and the play content of the segmented program, thereby reducing the complexity of the segmentation and improving the user's viewing experience. .

BRIEF abstract 1 is a flowchart of a method for implementing segmented program play control according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method for configuring play length control parameters for segmentation according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a client of an embodiment of the present invention; a flowchart of a method for playing control of the segment according to a play duration control parameter configured for the segment;

4 is a block diagram of an apparatus for controlling a server for segmented program playback according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a block diagram of an apparatus for controlling a client for segmented program playback in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Preferred embodiment of the invention

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1 , a method for implementing segmented program playback control according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The segmented program includes one or more segments, and the method includes the following steps:

Step S101: The server configures a play duration control parameter for each segment in the segmented program according to the length of time required to be played, where the play duration control parameter includes a play start time and/or a play end time;

Step S102: When playing the segmented program, the client performs play control on each segment according to the play duration control parameter of each segment in the segmented program.

In order to realize the playing control of the segmented program, the present invention increases the playing duration control function, that is, according to the actual playing time, the server side flexibly configures the playing duration control parameter for each segment in the segmented program, thereby making the client The end side can effectively control the play time and the play content according to the configured play duration control parameter. Especially for the advertisement insertion, in the case that the insertion scene is uncertain, the above scheme of the invention can flexibly adjust the insertion duration and the playback content of the advertisement, so that the user can watch the program consistently, and the user experience is improved, without adjusting for different scenes. The production of segmentation has low implementation cost and great market value.

In step S101, the server may configure a play duration control parameter for each segment in each segmented program by starting a corresponding process or service.

In the above step S101, the server may expand the MPD, and each of the segmented programs The segmented play duration control parameters are carried in the MPD of the segmented program. When the client downloads the MPD playback segment program, the playback duration control parameter of each segment in the segmentation program can be conveniently obtained from the MPD.

In the foregoing step S101, the server configures the play duration control parameter for the segmentation by using any one of the following methods:

a first mode: determining a playback start time of the segment; calculating a sum of a playback start time of the segment and a duration required for the segment playback to obtain a playback end time of the segment; The playback start time and the playback end time of the segment configure the playback duration control parameters of the segment.

a second mode: determining a playback end time of the segment; calculating a difference between a playback end time of the segment and a duration required for the segment playback to obtain a playback start time of the segment; The play start time and the play end time configure the play duration control parameters of the segment.

When the server configures the play duration control parameter of the segment according to the segment start play time and the play end time, the mode may be used: configuring the segment play duration control parameter to include the segment Play start time and play bundle time. Correspondingly, when the client performs the play control on the segment according to the play duration control parameter, the segment is controlled to start playing from the play start time, and the play end time stops playing.

Preferably, the present invention is directed to two special scenarios, namely, starting from the beginning of the segment and playing to the end of the segment, and providing the following configuration for omitting some parameters:

When the server determines that the playback start time of the segment corresponds to the beginning position of the segment, the play duration control parameter configuring the segment only includes the playback end time of the segment. That is, for the scenario of starting playback from the beginning of the segment, the playback start time of the configuration segment can be omitted. Correspondingly, when the segment playing time control parameter includes only the playing end time, the client controls the segment to start playing from the beginning, and stops the playing until the playing end time.

When the server determines that the playback end time of the segment corresponds to the end position of the segment, the playing duration control parameter of the segment is configured to only include the playback start time of the segment. That is, for the scenario of playing to the end of the segment, the playback end time of the configuration segment can be omitted. Correspondingly, when the segment playing time control parameter includes only the playing start time, the client controls the segment to start playing from the playing start time, and stops playing until the end position of the segment. In order to further explain the above-mentioned configuration mode in which some parameters can be omitted, the following is an example of configuring a playback duration control parameter for a segment in a segmented program. Referring to FIG. 2, the method includes the following steps: Step S201: Start;

Step S202: determining whether segmentation is required to start playing from the beginning, if yes, executing step S204; otherwise, performing step S203;

Step S203: configuring the playback start time of the segment, and executing step S204;

Step S204: determining whether the segmentation is required to end to the end, and if so, executing step S207; otherwise, executing step S205;

Step S205: Calculate the playback end time of the segment according to the required duration of the segment playback, and perform step S206;

Step S206: Configure a playback end time of the segment according to the calculation result.

Step S207: End.

After configuring the play duration control parameter for all the segments in the segmentation program, the server carries the play duration control parameter of each segment in the segmentation program in the MPD of the segmentation program. In a specific implementation, a new field may be added to the segment that needs to be adjusted in the MPD, and the play start time and the play end time configured for the segment are respectively carried, and the newly added field is optional, if used for carrying If the field of the playback start time of the segment does not exist, it means that the segment is played from the beginning, and if the field for the playback end time of the bearer segment does not exist, it means that the end of the segment is played until the end.

In the above step S101, in the case that the duration of the segmentation play is greater than the total duration of the segment, in order to ensure continuous viewing, the playback start time of the segment may be set according to the length of time required for the segmentation. / or playback end time, that is, the difference between the playback end time and the playback start time allowed to be configured for the segment is greater than the total duration of the segment. Correspondingly, the client further calculates the duration of the segmentation play according to the segmentation duration control parameter, and determines whether the duration of the segmentation is greater than the total duration of the segment. If it is greater than, the playback will be repeated. The segment is until the length of time it is played is equal to the length of time it needs to be played. This is especially important for the insertion of advertisements. Even if the total length of the segments is shorter than the duration of the playback, the playback time control information can be set to achieve repeat playback without the need to insert another advertisement. Processability. When the step S101 is specifically executed, the server may adjust the precision of the configured play start time and/or the play end time according to specific needs. For example, different precision time units such as s, ms, etc. may be used.

The client downloads the MPD of the segmented program, obtains index information of each segment in the segmented program, downloads the segments, and plays the downloaded segment. In the DASH system, the index information exists in the form of a URL, and the client downloads the corresponding segment according to the segmented URL. Since the above solution of the present invention is used, the play duration control function is added, and after receiving the MPD of the segmented program, the client also obtains the play duration control parameter of each segment in the segmentation program, and according to Playback control is performed on each segment in the segmented program.

The following is an example of performing playback control on a segment of a segmented program. Referring to FIG. 3, the steps include:

Step S301: start;

Step S302: determining whether the received MPD includes the playback start time configured for the segment, and if yes, executing step S303; otherwise, executing step S304;

Whether the playback start time configured for the segmentation is included may be determined by searching whether the MPD includes a field for carrying a playback start time configured for the segmentation;

Step S303: Control the segment to start playing from the playback start time, step S305 is performed; Step S304: Control the segment to start playing from the beginning, and perform step S305;

Step S305: determining whether the received MPD includes the playback end time configured for the segmentation, and if yes, executing step S306; otherwise, executing step S307;

Whether the playback end time configured for the segmentation is included may be determined by searching whether the MPD includes a field for carrying the playback end time configured for the segmentation;

Step S306: playing the segment until the end of the playback end time is stopped, step S308 is performed;

Step S307: playing the segment to the end to stop, step S308;

Step S308: End.

Wherein, in the case that the duration required for the segmentation is greater than the total duration of the segment, the above step Step S305: When performing the play control, the client calculates the length of time required for the segment play according to the segmentation duration control parameter, and determines whether the duration of the segment play needs to be greater than the total duration of the segment. If it is greater than, the segment is repeatedly played until the duration of its playing is equal to the length of time that it needs to be played, thereby realizing the repeated playback of the segment and ensuring the continuity of the viewing.

In order to implement the above method, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a server for controlling segmented program playback, where the segmented program includes one or more segments, and the server, as shown in FIG. 4, includes:

The configuration module is configured to configure a play duration control parameter for each segment in the segmented program according to the duration of the play, where the play duration control parameter includes a play start time and/or a play end time.

And a packaging module, configured to carry a play duration control parameter of each segment in the segmentation program in a program index table (MPD) of the segmentation program.

The configuration module may include:

a first configuration unit, determining a playback start time of the segment;

An operation unit, calculating a sum of a play start time of the segment and a duration required for the segment play to obtain a play end time of the segment;

The second configuration unit configures the play duration control parameter of the segment according to the play start time and the play end time of the segment.

The configuration module may also include:

a first configuration unit, determining a playback end time of the segment;

An operation unit, calculating a difference between a playback end time of the segment and a duration required for the segment playback to obtain a playback start time of the segment;

The second configuration unit may configure the play duration control parameter of the segment to include a play start time and a play bundle time of the segment.

The first configuration unit may send a first control instruction to the second configuration unit when determining that the playback start time of the segment corresponds to the beginning position of the segment; And, according to the first control instruction, configuring a play duration control parameter of the segment to only include a play end time of the segment.

The first configuration unit may send a second control instruction to the second configuration unit when determining that the playback end time of the segment corresponds to the end position of the segment; the second configuration unit, according to the The second control instruction is configured to configure the play duration control parameter of the segment to only include the play start time of the segment.

In order to implement the foregoing method, the embodiment of the present invention further provides a terminal for controlling segmented program playing. As shown in FIG. 5, the method includes:

And an obtaining module, configured to acquire a play duration control parameter of each segment in the segmented program from a program index table (MPD) of the segmented program.

a play control module, configured to perform play control on each segment according to a play duration control parameter configured for each segment in the play segment program when playing the segment program; the play duration control parameter includes playing Start time and/or play end time.

The playing control module performs playback control on the segment according to the segment playing duration control parameter, including:

The playing control module further calculates, according to the playing duration control parameter of the segment, the length of time required for the segment playing, and determines whether the length of time required for the segment playing is greater than the The total length of the segment, if greater, repeats the segment until it is played for a period of time equal to the length of time it needs to be played.

In order to implement the above method, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a system for controlling segmented program playback, including the foregoing server and client. When the server configures playback for each segment in the segmented program a long control parameter, when the client plays the segmented program, the playback control is performed on the segments according to the play duration control parameters configured for each segment in the segmented program, thereby finally implementing the segmented program. Play time and control of playback content.

The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and it should be noted that local playback or on-demand multimedia files for multi-branch playback are within the scope of the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the principles of the invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY A method, a server, and a client for implementing segmented program play control provided by an embodiment of the present invention can dynamically adjust a play duration and a play content of a segmented program, thereby reducing the complexity of creating a segment and improving the user. Viewing experience.

Claims

Claim

A method for implementing segmented program playback control, the segmented program comprising one or more segments, the method comprising:

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the server configured the play duration control parameters for the segmentation comprises:

Or,

Determining a play end time of the segment; calculating a difference between a play end time of the segment and a duration required for the segment play to obtain a play start time of the segment; starting according to the segmentation play The time duration and the end time of the play configure the play duration control parameters of the segment.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein

5. The method of claim 3, wherein

6. The method of claim 3, wherein

7. The method of any of claims 1-6, further comprising:

8. A server for implementing segmented program play control, the segmented program comprising one or more segments, the server comprising:

9. The server according to claim 8, further comprising: The encapsulation module is configured to: carry the play duration control parameter of each segment in the segmentation program in a program index table (MPD) of the segmentation program.

The server of claim 8, wherein the configuration module comprises: a first configuration unit, configured to: determine a playback start time of the segment;

The server according to claim 8, wherein the configuration module comprises: a first configuration unit, configured to: determine a playback end time of the segment;

12. The server according to claim 10 or 11, wherein

13. The server according to claim 10, wherein

14. The server according to claim 11, wherein

The first configuration unit is further configured to: send a second control instruction to the second configuration unit when determining that the playback end time of the segment corresponds to an end position of the segment; The second configuration unit is further configured to: configure, according to the second control instruction, a play duration control parameter of the segment to only include a play start time of the segment.

A client that implements segmented program play control, the segmented program includes one or more segments, and the client includes:

16. The client of claim 15, further comprising:

The client according to claim 15, wherein the playing control module performs the playing control on the segment according to the segment playing duration control parameter, including:

The client according to any one of claims 15-17, wherein