WO2017181867A1

WO2017181867A1 - Method of acquiring video descriptor file, content distribution server, set-top box, and system

Info

Publication number: WO2017181867A1
Application number: PCT/CN2017/079987
Authority: WO
Inventors: 马巧花
Original assignee: 中兴通讯股份有限公司
Priority date: 2016-04-21
Filing date: 2017-04-11
Publication date: 2017-10-26
Also published as: CN107306356A

Abstract

The invention discloses a method of acquiring a video descriptor file, a content distribution server, a set-top box, and a system. The method comprises: after recovering from an abnormality, an encoding server re-segments a channel bitstream or continues to transmit a previous TS segment, so that when a set-top box receives an interrupted TS segment, the encoding server can receive an updated video descriptor file and TS segment. In one embodiment of the invention, during playback of a program, a content distribution server acquires, according to a preconfigured acquisition rule and from the encoding server, a video descriptor file, and transmits to the set-top box a descriptor file update notification. After receiving the notification, the set-top box transmits to the content distribution server a first descriptor acquisition request to acquire the video descriptor file, determines according to the most recently acquired video descriptor file that the TS segment has been updated, and directly updates the updated video descriptor file and the corresponding TS segment. Therefore, the embodiment can ensure continuous playback of a program, and prevent a problem of a frozen HLS channel screen resulting in a black screen, increasing user experience and satisfaction.

Description

Video information description file acquisition method and content distribution server, set top box, system

Technical field

The present invention relates to the field of communications, and specifically relates to a video information description file acquisition method, a content distribution server, a set top box, and a system.

Background technique

OTT is an abbreviation of "Over The Top", which refers to providing various application services to users through the Internet. This kind of application is different from the communication service provided by the current operator. It only uses the operator's network, and the service is provided by a third party other than the operator.

HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) technology implements one of OTT TV technologies. HLS is an HTTP-based streaming media transfer protocol implemented by Apple Inc., which enables live streaming and on-demand streaming. It is mainly used in iOS systems to provide audio and video live and on-demand for iOS devices (such as iPhone and iPad). Program. The HLS transmission content consists of two parts, one is the M3U8 description file, and the other is the TS media file. After acquiring the M3U8 description file, the set-top box reads the M3U8 description file at a local interval, and then obtains the corresponding TS media file for playback according to the M3U8 description file. However, after the encoding server sends an abnormal restart, it may re-segment and sort the channel code stream; when the network is disconnected, the TS fragment will be interrupted. These set-top boxes are not known, and cause the set-top box to read the interrupted TS fragments or the reordered TS fragments according to the previously acquired M3U8 description file, and the fragmented set-top boxes cannot be processed normally. The set-top box does not currently have the M3U8 description file generated by the re-segmentation of the channel code stream by the encoding server, and the subsequent process processing cannot be performed normally, resulting in the HLS channel picture being stuck and eventually black screen.

Summary of the invention

The main technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a video information description file acquisition method, a content distribution server, a set top box, and a system, which can solve the problem that the existing set top box reorders the acquired interrupted TS fragments or serial numbers after the encoding server is abnormal. The TS fragment cannot be processed normally and the new description file is not obtained, causing the HLS channel picture to be stuck and eventually the black screen.

To solve the above technical problem, the present invention provides a method for delivering a video information description file, including:

The content distribution server acquires the video information description file from the encoding server according to a preset acquisition rule during the program playing process;

After obtaining the video information description file, the content distribution server sends a description file update notification to the set top box;

The content distribution server sends a video information description file to the content distribution server according to the first description file acquisition request fed back by the set top box.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the preset acquisition rule is that the acquisition is performed according to a preset acquisition period.

In an embodiment of the invention, the method further includes:

Receiving, by the content distribution server, when the set top box does not receive the description file update notification within a preset duration a second description file acquisition request;

And the content distribution server sends the newly acquired video information description file to the set top box according to the second description file acquisition request.

To solve the above technical problem, the present invention further provides a method for acquiring a video information description file, including:

The set top box receives the description file update notification sent by the content distribution server when the updated video information description file is obtained from the encoding server during the program playing process;

Sending, by the set top box, a first description file acquisition request to the content distribution server according to the description file update notification;

The set top box updates the video information description file and the corresponding TS fragment when the TS fragment is updated according to the video information description file fed back by the content distribution server.

In an embodiment of the invention, the method further includes:

When the set-top box does not receive the description file update notification sent by the content distribution server, the set-top box sends a second description file acquisition request to the content distribution server;

The set top box receives the video information description file sent by the content distribution server according to the second description file acquisition request, and determines whether the TS fragment has been updated according to the video information description file.

To solve the above technical problem, the present invention also provides a communication method, including:

The content distribution server sends a video information description file to the content distribution server according to the first description file acquisition request;

The set top box updates the video information description file and the corresponding TS fragment according to the video information description file to determine that the TS fragment has been updated.

To solve the above technical problem, the present invention further provides a content distribution server, comprising: an information acquisition module, a notification module, and a transceiver module;

The information acquiring module is configured to acquire a video information description file from the encoding server according to a preset obtaining rule during the program playing process;

The notification module is configured to send a description file update notification to the set top box;

The transceiver module is configured to send a video information description file to the first profile extraction request fed back by the set top box.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the transceiver module is further configured to receive a second profile obtaining request sent by the set top box when the description file update notification is not received within a preset duration, according to the second description file. The obtaining request sends the newly acquired video information description file to the set top box.

In order to solve the above technical problem, the present invention further provides a set top box, including an information receiving module, a requesting module, and a processing module;

The information receiving module is configured to receive a description file update notification sent by the content distribution server when the updated video information description file is obtained from the encoding server during the program playing process;

The requesting module is configured to send a first description file acquisition request to the content distribution server according to the description file update notification;

The processing module is configured to update the video information description file and the corresponding TS fragment when the TS fragment is updated according to the video information description file fed back by the content distribution server.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the requesting module is further configured to: when the information receiving module does not receive the description file update notification when the preset duration is exceeded during the program playing, send the second to the content distribution server. Describe the file acquisition request;

The information receiving module is further configured to receive a video information description file that is sent by the content distribution server according to the second description file acquisition request;

The processing module is further configured to determine whether the TS fragment has been updated according to the video information description file.

In order to solve the above technical problem, the present invention also provides a communication system, including a content distribution server and a set top box;

The content distribution server is configured to obtain a video information description file from the encoding server according to a preset acquisition rule, send a description file update notification to the set top box, and receive the first description file acquisition request sent by the set top box. And then send a video information description file to it;

The set top box is configured to send a first description file acquisition request to the content distribution server according to the description file update notification, and update the video information description file and corresponding when determining that the TS fragment has been updated according to the video information description file. TS fragmentation.

The beneficial effects of the invention are:

The TS information fragmentation method provided by the present invention and the content distribution server, the set top box, and the system, the TS fragment before the encoding server re-segmentizes or continues to transmit the channel code stream after the abnormality recovery causes the set top box to receive the interrupted TS fragmentation. The encoding server will get updated video information description files and TS fragments. In the present invention, the content distribution server obtains the video information description file from the encoding server according to the preset acquisition rule, and sends a description file update notification to the set-top box, so that the set-top box can obtain the timely. After receiving the notification, the set-top box sends a first description file acquisition request to the content distribution server to obtain a video information description file, and directly updates the video information description file and the corresponding TS fragment according to the latest obtained video information description file to determine that the TS fragment has been updated. In this way, the program can continue to play, avoiding the HLS channel picture card jam, and finally the black screen problem, improving user experience satisfaction.

DRAWINGS

1 is a schematic diagram of a communication process for playing an HLS channel program according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

2 is a schematic flowchart of playing a HLS channel program in a set top box according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart of determining whether a set top box needs to reacquire a fragment according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

5 is a schematic structural diagram of a content distribution server according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a set top box according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

detailed description

The content distribution server in the present invention can obtain the video information description file from the encoder server according to a preset rule and notify the set top box to obtain the program during the program playing process; thus, the set top box can obtain the current video on the encoding server during the program playing process. The information description file further determines whether the TS fragment has been updated, and if so, reacquires to ensure normal playback of the program. Avoid the problem that the set-top box will not play before the previous fragmentation and reordering of the fragmentation will cause the black screen card to appear. The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Embodiment 1:

Referring to FIG. 1 , the figure shows a communication process for playing an HLS channel program according to the embodiment, which includes:

S101: The content distribution server (CDN) acquires the video information description file from the encoding server according to a preset acquisition rule during the program playing process.

In the above process, the encoding server may recover from an abnormality, such as recovery from power failure or network disconnection. After the abnormality is restored, the encoding server will receive the updated video information description file and the TS fragment when the TS fragment before re-segmentation or continued transmission of the channel code stream causes the set-top box to receive the interrupted TS fragment.

S102: After obtaining the video information description file, the content distribution server sends a description file update notification to the set top box (STB) to notify the set top box to acquire the video information description file.

S103: The set top box receives the description file update notification sent by the content distribution server, and sends a first description file acquisition request to the content distribution server.

S104: The content distribution server sends the acquired video information description file to the content distribution server according to the first description file acquisition request sent by the set top box.

S105: The set top box determines, according to the video information description file sent by the content distribution server, whether the TS fragment has been updated (for example, reordered or interrupted), if yes, go to S106; otherwise, go to S107;

S106: The set top box updates the video information description file and the corresponding TS fragment.

Specifically, the set top box may send a reacquisition description file to the content distribution server to obtain a new video information description file, and obtain the updated TS fragment according to the video information description file.

S107: continue to perform the playback process normally.

The video information description file in this embodiment may be an M3U8 description file; it should be understood that the video information description file in other formats may also be used.

The preset acquisition rule in the above S101 may be obtained by using a preset acquisition period, for example, obtaining a video information description file from the encoding server every 10 seconds, 20 seconds, or 1 minute; of course, other acquisition rules may also be adopted. For example, irregular or other dynamic acquisition methods. Since the encoding server may be abnormal during the playback of the program, then resume, such as recovery from power failure or network recovery. After the abnormality is restored, the encoding server will receive the updated video information description file and the TS fragment when the TS fragment before re-segmentation or continued transmission of the channel code stream causes the set-top box to receive the interrupted TS fragment. After the content distribution server obtains the latest video information description file from the encoding server, the set-top box is notified in time, so that the set-top box can obtain the video information description file on the encoding server in time, and correspondingly update the TS score after determining the TS fragment update. The film, therefore, can guarantee the normal play of the program.

In this embodiment, the manner in which the set-top box determines whether the TS fragment is updated (for example, reordered) according to the video information description file fed back by the content distribution server may adopt any one of the following manners.

The set top box determines whether the size of the currently obtained video information description file is the same as the size of the previously obtained video information description file. If not, it may be determined that an update has occurred; the update may be TS slice reordering, or other update.

The set-top box determines whether the time segment size of the TS fragment in the video information description file is consistent with the acquired TS fragment time period size. If not, it determines that the TS fragment has been updated. The update may also be TS slice reordering, or other updates.

In order to better understand the present invention, the present invention will be further exemplified below in conjunction with a specific implementation process.

In this embodiment, the set top box can actively send the request to the content distribution server to actively obtain the video information description file according to the update notification sent by the content distribution server. For example, when the set-top box does not receive the description file update notification sent by the content distribution server during the program playback, if the preset time length (which may be 2 times or more of the preset acquisition period) is not received, the content distribution is indicated at this time. The server may be abnormal, and the set top box may actively send a second description file acquisition request to the content distribution server;

After receiving the second description file acquisition request, the content distribution server sends the newly acquired video information description file to the set top box; the set top box determines whether the TS fragment has been updated according to the video information description file, and if so, the corresponding update is timely. To ensure the normal playback of the program.

For a better understanding of the invention, the invention is further illustrated by a specific example.

Referring to FIG. 2, the process of playing the HLS channel program in the set top box includes:

S201: The set top box powers up the HLS channel program.

S202: After the encoding server restarts abnormally, continue to split the video source and reorder the new TS fragments.

S203: The content distribution server acquires an updated video information description file from the encoding server every minute, and sends a description update notification to the set top box of the lower level.

S204: The set top box sends a description file acquisition request to the content distribution server according to the description update notification sent by the content distribution server to obtain the video information description file.

S205: The set-top box determines, according to the obtained video information description file, that the TS fragments are reordered, and then re-acquires the TS fragments.

S206: The HLS channel program is normally played.

The execution process of the above S205 is shown in FIG. 3, and includes:

S301: The set top box STB receives a video information description file (for example, an M3U8 file) sent by the content distribution server side.

S302: The set top box analyzes the description of the TS fragment in the M3U8 file.

S303: The set-top box STB determines, according to the self-timer command, the TS fragment sequence time period, and compares whether the time size of the slice changes according to the time of the slice; if yes, go to S304; otherwise, go to S305.

S304: Update the m3u8 file and the TS fragment.

S305: Continue to play the HLS channel program.

Through the real-time request and update of the HLS file, the above solution makes the set-top box processing capability more timely, avoids affecting the user to watch the video program, and improves the user experience.

Based on the above description, the present embodiment is based on an encoding server (ie, encoder, Encoder), CDN, and set-top. Box (STB) system, real-time slicing and generating m3u8 description files on the code server; CDN receiving and delivering slices and m3u8 files; set-top box reading m3u8 files, downloading and saving ts fragments, showing ts points Slice content. In order to solve the video picture jam and black screen phenomenon, the set top box in this embodiment may need to read the m3u8 description file from the CDN in real time, and update the TS media file in real time to solve the fragment interruption or the serial number of the fragment. Arrange the problem.

Embodiment 2:

This embodiment proposes a communication system, as shown in FIG. 4, including an encoding server 41, a content distribution server 42, and a set top box 43, wherein:

The encoding server 41 is configured to re-segment the channel code stream after the abnormality recovery, to obtain an updated video information description file (for example, an M3U8 file) and a TS slice;

The content distribution server 42 is configured to send the description file update notification to the set top box 43 after receiving the video information description file from the encoding server 41 according to the preset acquisition rule, and receive the first description file sent by the set top box 43. After the request, the video information description file is sent to the request;

The set top box 43 is configured to send a first description file acquisition request to the content distribution server 42 according to the description file update notification, and update the video information description file and the corresponding TS fragment when the TS fragment is updated according to the video information description file.

In this embodiment, when the set top box does not receive the description file update notification when the preset duration is exceeded, the set top box actively sends a second description file acquisition request to the content distribution server; the content distribution server receives the second description file. After obtaining the request, the newly obtained video information description file is sent to the set top box; the set top box determines whether the TS fragment has been updated according to the video information description file, and if so, timely corresponding update is performed to ensure normal playback of the program.

Referring to FIG. 5, the content distribution server 42 in this embodiment includes an information acquisition module 421, a notification module 422, and a transceiver module 423;

The information obtaining module 421 is configured to obtain a video information description file from the encoding server according to a preset acquisition rule during the program playing process;

The notification module 422 is configured to send a description file update notification to the set top box.

The transceiver module 423 is configured to send a video information description file to the first profile extraction request fed back by the set top box.

The obtaining rule according to the preset may be obtained by periodically acquiring the preset period, for example, obtaining a video information description file from the encoding server every 10 seconds, 20 seconds, or 1 minute. Since the encoding server may be abnormal during the playback of the program, then resume, such as recovery from power failure or network recovery. After the abnormality is restored, the encoding server will receive the updated video information description file and the TS fragment when the TS fragment before re-segmentation or continued transmission of the channel code stream causes the set-top box to receive the interrupted TS fragment. The information obtaining module 421 timely notifies the set-top box after obtaining the latest video information description file from the encoding server, so that the set-top box can obtain the video information description file on the encoding server in time, and correspondingly update the TS after determining that the TS fragment is updated. Fragmentation, thus ensuring the normal playback of the program.

The transceiver module 423 is further configured to: when the receiver top box 43 does not receive the description file update request, the second description file acquisition request is sent to the set-top box according to the second description file acquisition request, and the latest obtained video information description text is sent to the set-top box according to the second description file acquisition request. Pieces.

Referring to FIG. 6, the set top box 43 in this embodiment includes an information receiving module 431, a requesting module 432, and a processing module 433;

The information receiving module 431 is configured to receive a description file update notification sent by the content distribution server when the updated video information description file is obtained from the encoding server during the program playing process;

The requesting module 432 is configured to send a first description file obtaining request to the content distribution server according to the description file update notification;

The processing module 433 is configured to update the video information description file and the corresponding TS fragment when the TS fragment is updated according to the video information description file fed back by the content distribution server.

The manner in which the processing module 433 determines whether the TS fragment is updated (for example, reordered) according to the video information description file fed back by the content distribution server may adopt any one of the following manners.

The processing module 433 determines whether the size of the currently acquired video information description file is the same as the size of the previously obtained video information description file. If not, it may be determined that an update has occurred.

The processing module 433 determines whether the time segment size of the TS fragment in the video information description file is consistent with the acquired TS fragment time segment size. If not, it determines that the TS fragment has been updated.

The requesting module 432 in this embodiment is further configured to send a second description file obtaining request to the content distribution server 42 when the information receiving module 431 does not receive the description file update notification when the information receiving module 431 exceeds the preset duration;

The information receiving module 431 is further configured to receive a video information description file that is delivered by the content distribution server according to the second description file acquisition request;

The processing module 433 is further configured to determine, according to the video information description file, whether the TS fragment has been updated. In this way, the set-top box actively sends a request for active acquisition to the content distribution server, which ensures reliable acquisition of the video information description file.

Obviously, those skilled in the art should understand that the above modules or steps of the present invention can be implemented by a general-purpose computing device, which can be concentrated on a single computing device or distributed over a network composed of multiple computing devices. Alternatively, they may be implemented by program code executable by the computing device such that they may be stored in a storage medium (ROM/RAM, diskette, optical disk) by a computing device, and in some cases The steps shown or described may be performed in an order different than that herein, or they may be separately fabricated into individual integrated circuit modules, or a plurality of the modules or steps may be implemented as a single integrated circuit module. Therefore, the invention is not limited to any particular combination of hardware and software.

The above is a further detailed description of the present invention in connection with the specific embodiments, and the specific embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the description. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Industrial applicability

The present disclosure is applicable to the field of communication, to ensure the continued playback of the program, to avoid the occurrence of the HLS channel picture jam, and ultimately the black screen problem, and to improve the user experience satisfaction.

Claims

A method for delivering a video information description file, including:

The content distribution server acquires the video information description file from the encoding server according to a preset acquisition rule during the program playing process;

After obtaining the video information description file, the content distribution server sends a description file update notification to the set top box;

The content distribution server sends a video information description file to the content distribution server according to the first description file acquisition request fed back by the set top box.
The method for delivering a video information description file according to claim 1, wherein the preset acquisition rule is obtained by a preset acquisition cycle timing.
The method for delivering a video information description file according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

Receiving, by the content distribution server, a second description file acquisition request sent by the set top box when the description file update notification is not received within a preset duration;

And the content distribution server sends the newly acquired video information description file to the set top box according to the second description file acquisition request.
A method for acquiring a video information description file, comprising:

The set top box receives the description file update notification sent by the content distribution server when the updated video information description file is obtained from the encoding server during the program playing process;

Sending, by the set top box, a first description file acquisition request to the content distribution server according to the description file update notification;

The set top box updates the video information description file and the corresponding TS fragment when the TS fragment is updated according to the video information description file fed back by the content distribution server.
The method for acquiring a video information description file according to claim 4, further comprising:

When the set-top box does not receive the description file update notification sent by the content distribution server, the set-top box sends a second description file acquisition request to the content distribution server;

The set top box receives the video information description file sent by the content distribution server according to the second description file acquisition request, and determines whether the TS fragment has been updated according to the video information description file.
A communication method comprising:

The content distribution server acquires the video information description file from the encoding server according to a preset acquisition rule during the program playing process;

After obtaining the video information description file, the content distribution server sends a description file update notification to the set top box;

Sending, by the set top box, a first description file acquisition request to the content distribution server according to the description file update notification;

The content distribution server sends a video information description file to the content distribution server according to the first description file acquisition request;

The set top box updates the video information description file and the corresponding TS fragment when the TS fragment is updated according to the video information description file.
A content distribution server includes: an information acquisition module, a notification module, and a transceiver module;

The information acquiring module is configured to acquire a video information description file from the encoding server according to a preset obtaining rule during the program playing process;

The notification module is configured to send a description file update notification to the set top box;

The transceiver module is configured to send a video information description file to the first profile extraction request fed back by the set top box.
The content distribution server according to claim 7, wherein the transceiver module is further configured to receive a second profile acquisition request sent by the set top box when the profile update notification is not received within a preset duration, according to the first The second profile obtaining request sends the newly acquired video information description file to the set top box.
A set top box includes an information receiving module, a requesting module and a processing module;

The information receiving module is configured to receive a description file update notification sent by the content distribution server when the updated video information description file is obtained from the encoding server during the program playing process;

The requesting module is configured to send a first description file acquisition request to the content distribution server according to the description file update notification;

The processing module is configured to update the video information description file and the corresponding TS fragment when the TS fragment is updated according to the video information description file fed back by the content distribution server.
The set top box according to claim 9, wherein the requesting module is further configured to: when the information receiving module does not receive the description file update notification when the preset duration is exceeded during the program playing, send the first to the content distribution server Second description file acquisition request;

The information receiving module is further configured to receive a video information description file that is sent by the content distribution server according to the second description file acquisition request;

The processing module is further configured to determine whether the TS fragment has been updated according to the video information description file.
A communication system including a content distribution server and a set top box;

The content distribution server is configured to obtain a video information description file from the encoding server according to a preset acquisition rule, send a description file update notification to the set top box, and receive the first description file acquisition request sent by the set top box. And then send a video information description file to it;

The set top box is configured to send a first description file acquisition request to the content distribution server according to the description file update notification, and update the video information description file and corresponding when determining that the TS fragment has been updated according to the video information description file. TS fragmentation.
A computer storage medium storing execution instructions for performing the method of any one of claims 1 to 6.