WO2016019710A1

WO2016019710A1 - Method and device for operating set-top box, and set-top box

Info

Publication number: WO2016019710A1
Application number: PCT/CN2015/071502
Authority: WO
Inventors: 王宏伟
Original assignee: 中兴通讯股份有限公司
Priority date: 2014-08-04
Filing date: 2015-01-23
Publication date: 2016-02-11
Also published as: CN105323618A; CN105323618B

Abstract

A method and device for operating a set-top box, and a set-top box. The method comprises: detect the power state of a set-top box; when the set-top box is in a standby or shutdown state, the set-top box acquires a high definition multimedia interface-consumer electronics control (HDMI-CEC) command; and start the set-top box after the HDMI-CEC command is received as a start command.

Description

Set top box operation method, device and set top box

Technical field

The present invention relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a set top box operating method, apparatus, and set top box.

Background technique

A set-top box is a device that connects a TV set to an external signal source. It can receive and decode compressed digital signals on a TV network or the Internet, and play high-quality images and accompanying sounds on the TV set, greatly enhancing and expanding the TV set. Use features. Currently, most set-top boxes have a standby function that can be implemented by a set-top box remote control or a button. There are some problems with the existing technology in use:

In the related art, when the set top box is in standby, the HDMI module power supply is in a working state, and the standby power consumption is relatively large. When the set-top box is turned off and the HDMI module power is turned off, it is impossible to synchronize the power on and off with the TV, which brings inconvenience to the user. There is currently no effective solution and it remains to be improved.

Summary of the invention

The embodiment of the invention provides a method, a device and a set top box for operating a set top box, which solves the technical problem that the set top box cannot be synchronized with the power state of the television when the set top box is in standby.

A set-top box with HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) function, through the built-in CEC (Consumer Electronics Control), can be used to control all devices on and off by any device in the HDMI network. Implement a button to turn off or turn on all devices.

According to one aspect of the invention, a method of operating a set top box is provided.

A method for operating a set top box according to an embodiment of the present invention includes:

Detecting the power state of the set top box;

The set top box acquires a consumer electronic control (HDMI-CEC) command of a high definition multimedia interface when the set top box is in a standby or power off state;

When the HDMI-CEC command is received as a power-on command, the set-top box is powered on.

Optionally, the detecting the power state of the set top box includes:

Determine the power state of the set-top box by detecting the high and low levels of the microcontroller pins.

Optionally, the acquiring, by the set top box, the HDMI-CEC command includes:

The set top box acquires the HDMI-CEC command through a single chip microcomputer.

Optionally, booting the set top box includes:

The set top box main power is turned on and controlled by the pins of the single chip microcomputer and related circuits.

The embodiment of the invention further provides a set top box operating device, comprising:

a detection module configured to detect a power state of the set top box;

The acquisition module is configured to obtain a consumer electronic control (HDMI-CEC) command of the high definition multimedia interface when the set top box is in a standby or power off state;

The boot module is configured to boot the set top box when the HDMI-CEC command is received as a power on command.

Optionally, the detecting module includes:

The judging unit is configured to judge the power state of the set top box by detecting the high and low levels of the single chip pin.

Optionally, the obtaining module includes:

The obtaining unit is configured to acquire the CEC command of the HDMI by using a single chip microcomputer.

The embodiment of the invention further provides a method for operating a set top box, including:

Detecting the power state of the set top box;

When the set top box is powered on, the set top box is associated with a signal source of a corresponding television set through a high definition multimedia interface-consuming electronic control (HDMI-CEC);

According to the association situation, a preset operation is performed on the set top box and the television set.

Optionally, performing preset operations on the set top box and the television according to the association situation includes:

Waiting for the set top box to perform a standby operation when the signal source of the television set is not from the set top box; and/or sending a switching instruction to the television set through the HDMI-CEC to set the television set Switching the source interface to the HDMI of the set top box, receiving the set top box signal source.

The embodiment of the invention further provides a set top box, including:

High-definition multimedia interface HDMI and microcontroller;

The pin of the single chip is connected to the HDMI-CEC communication interface of the HDMI, and the single chip is configured to: obtain the HDMI-CEC command in the standby state of the set top box.

Optionally, the pin of the single chip is connected to the HDMI-CEC communication interface, including:

The interrupt pin of the single chip microcomputer is connected to the HDMI-CEC communication interface.

Optionally, the set top box further includes an associated circuit and a main power supply, wherein:

The pins of the microcontroller and associated circuitry are connected to the main power of the set top box.

The embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer readable storage medium storing program instructions, which, when executed, causes the set top box to perform the method of any one of claims 1-4, 8-9.

The embodiment of the invention solves the problem that the set-top box cannot be synchronized with the power state of the television when the set-top box is in standby, and realizes that the set-top box can automatically detect the HDMI start-up signal in the low-power standby state, thereby completing the state synchronization between the set-top box and the television, simplifying user operations. , enhance the user experience. .

BRIEF abstract

The drawings are intended to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are intended to be a

1 is a schematic diagram of a method of operating a set top box according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a flow chart of a method of operating a set top box in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a structural diagram of a set top box device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

4 is an explanatory diagram of timing of a CEC start bit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

5 is a timing diagram of a CEC logic state in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of state transition of a set top box and a television set when the set top box is powered on according to an embodiment of the invention.

Preferred embodiment of the invention

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention are clearly and completely described in the following with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. The described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments.

1 is a schematic diagram of a method of operating a set top box in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the method may include the following steps:

Step S101: detecting a power state of the set top box;

Step S102: detecting an HDMI-CEC power-on command;

Wherein, the set top box may obtain an HDMI-CEC command when the set top box is in a standby or power off state;

Step S103: performing a booting operation on the set top box;

Among them, the set-top box can be powered on when receiving the HDMI-CEC command as the power-on command.

In the related technology, the set top box does not turn off the power of the HDMI module during standby, and the standby power consumption is large. When the HDMI module is powered off, the HDMI-CEC signal cannot be received, and synchronization with the TV power status cannot be achieved. In the embodiment of the present invention, by detecting the state of the set-top box, the set-top box acquires the consumer electronic control CEC command of the high-definition multimedia interface HDMI when the set-top box is in the standby or power-off state, and starts the set-top box when receiving the HDMI-CEC command as the power-on command. It solves the problem that the set-top box cannot be synchronized with the power state of the TV when it is in standby mode, and realizes that the set-top box can automatically detect the HDMI boot signal in the low-power standby state, thereby completing the synchronization of the set-top box and the television state, simplifying user operations, and enhancing user experience.

In an optional implementation process, the set-top box can detect its own power state through an integrated or external microcontroller chip. The main power of the set-top box is connected by the pin of the single-chip microcomputer, and the power state of the set-top box is known by judging the high-low level of the pin, thereby realizing the function of detecting the power state of the set-top box.

In the optional implementation process, when receiving the HDMI-CEC command as the power-on command, the single-chip computer is connected to the main power of the set-top box, and the pin of the single-chip microcomputer is used as a control switch, and the set-top box can be turned on.

In the optional implementation process, the set top box can pass when the set top box is in standby or off state. The MCU obtains the consumer electronic control CEC command of the high-definition multimedia interface HDMI.

In the optional implementation process, the standby power supply is separated from the main power of the set top box and is independent. When the set top box is in standby, the main power is turned off. The standby power supply works to supply power to the MCU and HDMI module.

In an alternative embodiment, the set top box accesses the HDMI-CEC communication interface through the single chip microcomputer and receives the CEC power on command through the software. The standby power supply supplies power to the microcontroller and is independent of the main power supply. Turning off the main power in standby mode ensures the overall power consumption of the set-top box. However, it does not affect the operation of the MCU. In the low-power standby state, the set-top box can automatically detect the HDMI boot signal, effectively solving the problem that the set-top box cannot be synchronized with the power state of the TV when it is in standby mode, and can also receive the boot from the HDMI-CEC. The command thus synchronizes the state of the set-top box with the television.

2 is a detailed flow chart of a method of operating a set top box in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The specific process of the set-top box operation method is as follows:

Step S201: Detecting the power state of the set top box.

Detect the power status of the top cover and check if the set-top box is in standby or off state. Specifically, the single-chip microcomputer is connected to the main power of the set-top box, and the power state of the set-top box is judged by detecting the high-low level of the single-chip pin.

Optionally, after the set-top box is powered off, the last state is generally saved, and the internal or external EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) can be used, and the data is not lost after power-off. The memory chip) is used to save the state, and then read and resume the power-on or standby state after power-on.

Step S202: determining whether the set top box is in a standby or power off state.

(1) If the set top box is in the power on state, return to step S201 to continue detecting

Until entering the standby state;

(2) If the set top box is in the standby or power off state, step S203 is performed.

Step S203: Acquire an HDMI-CEC power-on command.

The set-top box detects communication signals from the high-definition multimedia interface - consumer electronics control HDMI-CEC. The MCU is connected to the HDMI-CEC communication interface to detect and obtain the HDMI-CEC communication signal through software. The CEC communication is realized by software using the pins of the single chip, and the method is simple and cheap, and the purpose of the method of the present invention is also achieved.

Step S204: determining whether it is a power-on command.

When the set-top box detects the HDMI-CEC communication signal, it needs to judge whether it is the command to turn on the TV. The MCU judges whether it is a CEC power-on command according to the received CEC message, and the CEC power-on command refers to more than one specific reference to the HDMI specification manual.

(1) If it is not the CEC boot command, return 203 to continue detecting the HDMI-CEC boot command.

(2) If it is a CEC power-on command, step S205 is performed.

The CEC information includes a start bit and a data bit. Data bits can be informational information such as logical addresses, CEC commands, or control bits, such as end of message [EOM] or response [ACK].

A high-to-low transition follows a low-to-high transition and follows the timing in Figure 4, which is a starting bit.

Figure 5 is a timing diagram of the CEC logic state in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 5, the logical bits '0' and '1' to be followed by the data bits after the start bit are timing requirements.

Table 1 is a CEC frame structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Table 1, we can see that a specific CEC command consists of a start bit and n data packets. The structure of each data packet is fixed to include 10 bits, and 8 data bits and 2 control bits. Composition, the header packet includes a logical address and a destination address. If the EOM is logically '0', it means that there is more data behind; if it is '1', it means that a frame or message ends.

Table 1

起始位Start bit	表示一个帧的开始Indicates the beginning of a frame
起始位Start bit	表示一个帧的开始Indicates the beginning of a frame	头数据包Header packet	源和目标地址Source and destination address
数据包1Packet 1	操作码(可选)Opcode (optional)	头数据包Header packet	源和目标地址Source and destination address
数据包1Packet 1	操作码(可选)Opcode (optional)	数据包2… Packet 2...	操作数(可选，由操作码决定)Operand (optional, determined by opcode)

Table 2 is a CEC data packet in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Table 2, EOM: End of message, '1' indicates the end of a frame. ACK: Acknowledge, acknowledge bit: '0' indicates the response.

Table 2

The MCU determines whether it is the start bit by detecting the timing on the pin, the data bit '0' or the data bit '1', and then identifies a CEC message according to the frame structure of the CEC and performs corresponding processing according to the CEC protocol.

Step S207: The set top box is powered on.

The set-top box detects the power-on command from HDMI-CEC, that is, performs the set-top box boot operation. The MCU turns on the main power and turns on the power through the switch module. Specifically, the single-chip microcomputer controls the main power supply of the set-top box, which is realized by the single-chip pin and related circuit, and uses the pin of the single-chip microcomputer as the control switch to open the main power of the set-top box to realize the start-up operation of the set-top box.

The method of the embodiment of the invention includes the operation of the switch machine and the logic judgment, etc., which are implemented by software of the single chip microcomputer.

3 is a structural diagram of a set top box device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the set top box device includes the following modules:

a detection module configured to detect a power state of the set top box;

The acquisition module is set to receive the consumer electronic control CEC command of the high definition multimedia interface HDMI when the set top box is in standby or off state;

The boot module is set to boot the set top box when the HDMI-CEC command is received as a power on command.

In the related art, the set top box device does not turn off the power of the HDMI module during standby, and the standby power consumption is large. When the set-top box device turns off the power of the HDMI module during standby, it is impossible to synchronize the power on and off with the television, which brings inconvenience to the user. The set-top box device provided by the embodiment of the invention effectively solves such a problem, reduces power consumption, and can realize synchronous startup with the television in a standby state, which simplifies user operations and enhances user experience.

In an optional implementation, the detection module can include a determination unit. The judgment unit is realized by the main power supply of the single-chip computer to the set-top box, and the single-chip microcomputer can judge the power state of the set-top box by detecting the high and low levels of the pin. The low-cost single-chip microcomputer can realize the function of detecting the power state of the set-top box, and the method is simple and cheap, and is easy to process.

In an optional implementation process, the boot module may include a boot unit. The boot unit is used to power on the set top box. It is the main power supply of the set-top box connected by the single-chip microcomputer, which is realized by the single-chip pin and related circuit, and uses the pin of the single-chip microcomputer as the control switch. The low-cost single-chip microcomputer can realize the function of turning on or off the main power state of the set-top box. The method is simple, cheap and easy to process.

In an optional implementation process, the acquisition module may include an acquisition unit. The acquisition unit is used for set-top box monitoring and acquisition of high-definition multimedia interface HDMI consumer electronic control CEC commands. The acquisition unit is a CMOS consumer electronic control CEC communication interface that is connected to a high-definition multimedia interface by a single-chip microcomputer, and simulates CEC communication through software and receives a CEC power-on command. More cost-effective, low standby power consumption. In particular, in order to reduce the power consumption of the MCU during standby, the MCU interrupt pin can be connected to the CEC communication pin for triggering the interrupt. This allows the MCU to enter the sleep mode in the standby state, triggering the interrupt and then waking up only when there is a CEC signal. The single-chip microcomputer further reduces the power consumption of the set-top box, and generally can reach the standby power consumption of 0.5W or less.

In an optional implementation process, the set top box device may include: a standby power module, which is independent of the set top box main power module, and is used to supply power to the detection module, the acquisition module, and the boot module. The standby power module is separated from the main power module and exists separately. It can greatly reduce the power consumption during standby.

In an optional implementation process, the set top box device further includes: a main power module configured to supply power when the set top box is powered on, and supply power to the set top box function module. Main control module, the main function module of the set top box. HDMI module for high-definition multimedia interface HDMI consumer electronic control CEC interface communication.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of operations performed by the set top box and the television set according to different situations when the set top box is powered on according to an embodiment of the invention. The steps of the operation shown in Figure 6 are as follows:

Step S601: The power state of the current set top box is powered on, and the next operation is performed when the set top box is in the power on state;

Step S602: detecting a signal source of the television set;

Step S603: matching the preset;

Determine whether the set-top box provides the source of the TV program currently on the TV set. According to the preset setting of the set top box, when the signal source of the television corresponding to the set top box is detected, the matching is preset. Perform the next step;

Step S60310: the current television source signal is not from the set-top box, at this time the television has a source of the playback signal, but the signal source is not the set-top box, may be displayed in the game machine image or turn off the CD, DVD, then step S60311;

Step S60311: The set top box is in standby. At this time, the set top box does not provide a signal source for the television, and performs a standby operation.

Step S60320: the television has no signal source, the current set-top box is in the power-on state, and the television is turned on, and the signal source is not played, then step S60321 is performed;

Step S60321: The signal source of the television receiver top box switches the signal source interface of the television set to the HDMI port of the set top box, and receives the signal source of the set top box.

Through the embodiment of the invention, when the set-top box is in the power-on state, the state of the set-top box and the television is automatically adjusted, the user operation is simplified, and the user experience comfort is improved.

The present invention also provides an embodiment of a set top box. The set-top box according to the embodiment of the invention may include: a high-definition multimedia interface HDMI, a single-chip microcomputer; a pin-connected high-definition multimedia interface HDMI consumer electronic control CEC communication interface for the set-top box to obtain high definition in a standby state; Multimedia interface HDMI consumer electronic control CEC command.

With this embodiment, the set top box not only consumes less power during standby, but also detects the HDMI-CEC power-on signal to synchronize with the power state of the television.

In the optional implementation process, the pin of the MCU is connected to the high-definition multimedia interface HDMI. The consumer electronic control CEC communication interface can include: in order to reduce the power consumption of the MCU during standby, a single-chip interrupt pin can be connected to the CEC communication. The pin is used to trigger the interrupt, which can make the MCU enter the sleep mode in the standby state, trigger the interrupt and wake up the MCU only when there is a CEC signal, thus reducing the power consumption of the set-top box, generally achieving a standby power consumption of less than 0.5W.

Optionally, the set top box may include: connecting a pin of the single chip and related circuitry to the set top box The main power supply is used to control the switch control of the main power of the set top box.

Optionally, the set top box may further include: a set top box standby power supply, configured to supply power to the single chip and the HDMI interface when the set top box is in standby, and is separated from the main power of the set top box.

Turn off the main power during standby and turn on the standby power, which can effectively reduce the standby power consumption, but does not affect the work of the microcontroller.

The embodiment of the invention implements the "low power consumption true standby" of the set top box by using the single chip microcomputer, and simultaneously uses the pin of the single chip to access the CEC path of the HDMI interface, and realizes the CEC communication through the software of the single chip microcomputer. In the standby mode, the MCU works normally, so that the HDMI-CEC boot signal can be detected to be turned on in the low-power standby mode, and the state of the TV is synchronized. Expanded the functionality of the set-top box without increasing costs. And when the set-top box is powered on, the current signal source of the television can be obtained through HDMI-CEC communication. When the input source of the television is not the set-top box and continues for a period of time, it automatically enters the standby mode to realize the automatic standby function. It can also realize the function of automatically switching the signal source when booting. After the set-top box is powered on, it sends the HDMI-CEC command to let the TV automatically switch to the HDMI port of the set-top box.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that all or a portion of the steps of the above-described embodiments can be implemented using a computer program flow, which can be stored in a computer readable storage medium, such as on a corresponding hardware platform (eg, The system, device, device, device, etc. are executed, and when executed, include one or a combination of the steps of the method embodiments.

Alternatively, all or part of the steps of the above embodiments may also be implemented by using an integrated circuit. These steps may be separately fabricated into individual integrated circuit modules, or multiple modules or steps may be fabricated into a single integrated circuit module. achieve. Thus, the invention is not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software.

The devices/function modules/functional units in the above embodiments may be implemented by a general-purpose computing device, which may be centralized on a single computing device or distributed over a network of multiple computing devices.

When each device/function module/functional unit in the above embodiment is implemented in the form of a software function module and sold or used as a stand-alone product, it can be stored in a computer readable storage medium. The above mentioned computer readable storage medium may be a read only memory, a magnetic disk or an optical disk or the like.

Industrial applicability

The embodiment of the invention solves the problem that the set-top box cannot be synchronized with the power state of the television when the set-top box is in standby, and realizes that the set-top box can automatically detect the HDMI start-up signal in the low-power standby state, thereby completing the state synchronization between the set-top box and the television, simplifying user operations. , enhance the user experience.

Claims

A method for operating a set top box, comprising:

Detecting the power state of the set top box;

The set top box acquires a consumer electronic control (HDMI-CEC) command of a high definition multimedia interface when the set top box is in a standby or power off state;

When the HDMI-CEC command is received as a power-on command, the set-top box is powered on.
The method of claim 1 wherein said detecting a power state of the set top box comprises:

Determine the power state of the set-top box by detecting the high and low levels of the microcontroller pins.
The method of claim 1, wherein the acquiring the HDMI-CEC command by the set top box comprises:

The set top box acquires the HDMI-CEC command through a single chip microcomputer.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein booting the set top box comprises:

The set top box main power is turned on and controlled by the pins of the single chip microcomputer and related circuits.
A set top box operating device comprising:

a detection module configured to detect a power state of the set top box;

The acquisition module is configured to obtain a consumer electronic control (HDMI-CEC) command of the high definition multimedia interface when the set top box is in a standby or power off state;

The boot module is configured to boot the set top box when the HDMI-CEC command is received as a power on command.
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said detecting module comprises:

The judging unit is configured to judge the power state of the set top box by detecting the high and low levels of the single chip pin.
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the obtaining module comprises:

The obtaining unit is configured to acquire the CEC command of the HDMI by using a single chip microcomputer.
A method for operating a set top box, comprising:

Detecting the power state of the set top box;

When the set top box is powered on, the set top box is associated with a signal source of a corresponding television set through a high definition multimedia interface-consuming electronic control (HDMI-CEC);

According to the association situation, a preset operation is performed on the set top box and the television set.
The method according to claim 8, wherein the preset operations on the set top box and the television set according to the association situation include:

Waiting for the set top box to perform a standby operation when the signal source of the television set is not from the set top box; and/or sending a switching instruction to the television set through the HDMI-CEC, the television set is set The source interface is switched to the HDMI of the set top box to receive the signal source of the set top box.
A set top box comprising:

High-definition multimedia interface HDMI and microcontroller;

The pin of the single chip is connected to the HDMI-CEC communication interface of the HDMI, and the single chip is configured to: obtain the HDMI-CEC command in the standby state of the set top box.
The set top box of claim 10, wherein the pin of the microcontroller is connected to the HDMI-CEC communication interface comprises:

The interrupt pin of the single chip microcomputer is connected to the HDMI-CEC communication interface.
The set top box of claim 11 further comprising associated circuitry and a main power source, wherein:

The pins of the microcontroller and associated circuitry are connected to the main power of the set top box.
A computer readable storage medium storing program instructions that, when executed, cause a set top box to perform the method of any one of claims 1-4, 8-9.