WO2017198185A1

WO2017198185A1 - Method and apparatus for receiving electronic program guide information

Info

Publication number: WO2017198185A1
Application number: PCT/CN2017/084818
Authority: WO
Inventors: 高涛
Original assignee: 深圳创维数字技术有限公司
Priority date: 2016-05-19
Filing date: 2017-05-18
Publication date: 2017-11-23
Also published as: CN105847899A; CN105847899B

Abstract

A method and apparatus for receiving electronic program guide (EPG) information, the method comprising: configuring a program list, and receiving the EPG information of a current program in the case of receiving a channel change instruction; determining whether a driver layer has a spare resource; and if the driver layer has a spare resource, creating a new EPG service which receives the EPG information.

Description

Method and device for receiving electronic program guide information

Technical field

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of set top boxes, for example, to a method and apparatus for receiving electronic program guide information.

Background technique

The Electronic Program Guide (EPG) provides a good navigation mechanism for users to watch TV programs and enjoy information services, enabling users to quickly and easily find programs they are interested in and to view additional information about the programs. The electronic program guide belongs to the digital TV front-end service product and is the gateway for digital TV services. In the Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) system, the service information (SI) is used to create an electronic program guide, using the MPEG-2 international standard promulgated by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG). The Program Specific Information (PSI) maps the program and transmits the data using the data stream of the MPEG-2 Transport Stream (TS).

The set-top box needs to receive hardware support for the TS data stream transmitted by the front-end, such as demodulator (Demod) and descrambler (Demux). However, due to the limitations of early hardware and technology, the set-top box usually only has one demodulator (Demod). Therefore, only the current locked frequency point, that is, the EPG information of the frequency point of the currently playing program, can be received, and the partial program EPG information can be quickly viewed by buffering the received EPG into the memory.

The set-top box receives the front-end EPG information in the above manner. Although it can meet the basic needs of the user, the EPG information of some programs cannot be immediately viewed in some states because the memory size is limited and the EPG information of the broadcasted program cannot be received when the platform is quickly changed. , thus affecting the user experience.

Summary of the invention

The present disclosure proposes a method and apparatus for receiving Electronic Program Guide (EPG) information, which avoids the problem that it is possible to receive EPG information of a broadcasted program when it is quickly changed.

A method for receiving EPG information, including:

Setting a program list, and receiving EPG information of the current program when receiving the channel change command;

Determining whether the driver layer has free resources;

If the driver layer has idle resources, a new EPG service is created, wherein the EPG service is used to receive EPG information.

Optionally, the method further includes:

If the driver layer does not have idle resources, the process of creating the new EPG service is exited.

Optionally, the creating a new EPG service includes:

EPG information of other frequency points different from the frequency point corresponding to the current program is received according to the set program list and the corresponding policy.

Optionally, after the creating a new EPG service, the method further includes:

The EPG handle identifying the node corresponding to the current EPG service and the receiving thread, the player handle identifying the node corresponding to the player, and the connection pointer connecting the next EPG service are stored in the structure of each EPG service storage data.

Optionally, the method further includes:

The multi-path EPG is managed by a linked list structure, wherein each EPG occupies one node, the linked list structure includes a linked list header that identifies an entry of the entire linked list, and the linked list header includes a first node that points to a node of the multi-path EPG. The connection pointer.

An apparatus for receiving EPG information, including:

Setting a module, set to set a program list, and receiving EPG information of the current program when receiving the channel change command;

a judging module configured to determine whether the driver layer has free resources;

A module is created, configured to create a new EPG service if the driver layer has idle resources, wherein the EPG service is configured to receive EPG information.

Optionally, the device further includes:

The exit module is set to exit the process of creating the new EPG service if the drive layer does not have idle resources.

Optionally, the creating module is set to:

Optionally, the device further includes:

After the storage module is configured to create a new EPG service, the EPG handle identifying the node corresponding to the current EPG service and the receiving thread, the player handle identifying the corresponding node of the player, and the connection pointer connecting the next EPG service are stored to each EPG. The service stores the structure of the data.

Optionally, the device further includes:

The linked list management module is configured to manage the multi-path EPG by using a linked list structure, wherein each EPG occupies one node, the linked list structure includes a linked list header that identifies an entry of the entire linked list, and the linked list header includes a node pointing to the multi-path EPG. The connection pointer of the first node.

A computer readable storage medium storing computer executable instructions arranged to perform the above method.

An electronic device comprising:

At least one processor;

a memory communicatively coupled to the at least one processor; wherein

The memory stores instructions executable by the at least one processor, the instructions being executed by the at least one processor to cause the at least one processor to perform the method described above.

The present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for receiving EPG information, setting a program list, receiving EPG information of a current program when receiving a channel change command; determining whether the driver layer has idle resources; if the driver layer has For idle resources, a new EPG service is created. The EPG service is used to receive EPG information, fully consider the system performance, add multiple EPG receiving threads in the background, improve the utilization of hardware resources, and satisfy the rapid display when the user changes channels. The demand for program information increases user satisfaction.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of a system for receiving EPG information according to an embodiment; FIG.

2 is a schematic flowchart 1 of a method for receiving EPG information according to an embodiment;

3 is a schematic flowchart 2 of a method for receiving EPG information according to an embodiment;

4 is a schematic flowchart 3 of a method for receiving EPG information according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of functional modules of an apparatus for receiving EPG information according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of hardware of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

detailed description

The embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. The embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the embodiments. Only some, but not all, of the structures associated with the embodiments are shown in the drawings. The technical features in the following embodiments and the embodiments may be arbitrarily combined with each other without conflict.

Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of a system for receiving EPG information according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, when the current program EPG is received by the demodulator (Demod) and the descrambling demultiplexer (Demux) used in the current program, the background uses multi-threading, multi-channel demodulator (Demod) and multi-channel. The descrambler (Demux) receives EPG information of other frequency points different from the frequency point corresponding to the current program according to a certain policy, and can receive EPG of multiple frequency points, quickly receive EPG, and quickly display EPG.

The EPG receiving function can be encapsulated into an EPG service module. The EPG service module is in the middle layer and is called by the upper layer. It depends on the flash (Flash), database (Database), Connect (Connect) module, SI module of the DVB system, SI service module, and driver. Layer, software development kit (SDK) layer, operating system (OS) layer, hardware (Hardware) layer and other functions provided.

Referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 is a schematic flowchart 1 of a method for receiving EPG information according to this embodiment.

In step 210, the program list is set, and in the case where the channel change command is received, the EPG information of the current program is received.

Optionally, a demodulator (Demod) and a descrambling demultiplexer (Demux) used in the current program receive the current program EPG information.

In step 220, it is determined whether the driver layer has free resources.

Optionally, when the current program EPG is received by using a demodulator (Demod) and a descrambling demultiplexer (Demux) used in the current program, the background determines whether the driver layer has idle resources, and the idle resource may include a solution. Demod and Demux Demultiplexer (Demux).

In step 230, if the driver layer has idle resources, a new EPG service is created, wherein the EPG service is used to receive EPG information.

Optionally, the creating a new EPG service includes:

Optionally, the background uses multi-threading, turns on a demodulator (Demod), and demultiplexer (Demux) and receives other frequency points different from the frequency point corresponding to the current program according to a certain policy. The EPG information can receive EPG at multiple frequency points, fast receive EPG, and fast display EPG.

Optionally, the method further includes:

FIG. 3 is a second schematic diagram of a method for receiving EPG information according to the embodiment.

In step 310, a list is set.

In step 320, the channel change begins.

In step 330, the channel change ends.

In step 340, the current frequency point EPG information is received.

In step 350, the EPG information of the frequency points other than the current frequency point is accepted when the resource is sufficient.

The method for receiving EPG information provided by this embodiment, setting a program list, receiving EPG information of a current program when receiving a channel change command; determining whether the driver layer has idle resources; and if the driver layer has For idle resources, create a new EPG service, fully consider the system performance, add multiple EPG receiving threads in the background, improve the utilization of hardware resources, meet the needs of users to quickly display program information when changing channels, and improve user satisfaction.

Referring to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart 3 of a method for receiving EPG information according to this embodiment.

In step 410, the program list is set, and in the case where the channel change command is received, the EPG information of the current program is received.

In step 420, it is determined whether the driver layer has free resources.

In step 430, if the driver layer has idle resources, a new EPG service (Service) is created. Among them, EPG service.

In step 440, the EPG handle of the node corresponding to the current EPG service and the receiving thread, the player handle of the node corresponding to the Player (Player), and the connection pointer for connecting the next EPG service are identified. (pNext) is stored in the structure of each EPG service storage data.

In step 450, a multi-path EPG is managed by a linked list structure, wherein each EPG occupies one node, the linked list structure includes a linked list header that identifies an entry of the entire linked list, and the linked list header includes a node pointing to the multi-path EPG. The pNext pointer of the first node.

Optionally, the multi-channel EPG is managed by a linked list structure, each EPG occupies one node, records information such as resources of the EPG, and the “chain header” serves as an entry point of the entire linked list. The pNext pointer of the list header points to the first node of the multi-path EPG node. When the background EPG receiving thread is not created, the pNext pointer is empty (NULL), and the player handle is meaningless.

The receiving thread of an EPG may include EPG 1, EPG 2, ..., EPG n. The n receiving threads of the EPG are created and added to the end of the program list when the EPG Create function is called after the channel is changed. When the path EPG is not received, the EPG Destroy() function may be called to remove the corresponding node from the linked list and release the resources and memory allocated for the node.

The EPG handle in the node is unique, which can identify the node and the corresponding EPG receiving thread. The upper layer can operate the corresponding EPG receiving thread through the EPG handle.

The background EPG reception can determine which frequency point and which type of EPG information the background EPG thread receives according to system performance and user needs (current transport stream current/subsequent event information EIT_PF_Actual, other transport stream current/subsequent event information EIT_PF_Other, current transmission) Flow event schedule information (EIT_Schedule_Actual), or other transport stream event schedule information (EIT_Schedule_Other)) and when to receive. Among them, EIT is the English abbreviation of Event Information Table, and PF is the English abbreviation of Present Follow.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of functional modules of an apparatus for receiving EPG information according to this embodiment.

In FIG. 5, the apparatus for receiving EPG information includes: a setting module 501, a determining module 502, and a creating module 503.

The setting module 501 is configured to set a program list, and receive EPG information of the current program when receiving the channel change command.

The determining module 502 is configured to determine whether the driver layer has free resources.

The creation module 503 is configured to create a new EPG service if the driver layer has idle resources, wherein the EPG service is used to receive EPG information.

Optionally, the creating module 503 is configured to:

Optionally, the device further includes: an exit module.

The exit module is set to exit the process of creating the new EPG service if the driver layer has no free resources.

Optionally, the device further includes: a storage module.

The storage module is configured to store an EPG handle identifying a node corresponding to the current EPG service and an EPG handle of the receiving thread, a player handle identifying a node corresponding to the Player (Player), and a connection pointer for connecting the next EPG service to each EPG service storage data. In the structure.

Optionally, the device further includes: a linked list management module.

The linked list management module is configured to manage the multi-path EPG by using a linked list structure, wherein each EPG occupies one node, the linked list structure includes a linked list header that identifies an entry of the entire linked list, and the linked header includes a node pointing to the multi-path EPG. The connection pointer of the first node.

The apparatus for receiving EPG information provided in this embodiment sets a program list, receives EPG information of a current program when receiving a channel change instruction, determines whether the driver layer has idle resources, and if the driver layer has idle The resources create a new EPG service, fully consider the system performance, add multiple EPG receiving threads in the background, improve the utilization of hardware resources, meet the needs of users to quickly display program information when changing channels, and improve user satisfaction.

The present embodiment provides a computer readable storage medium storing computer executable instructions arranged to perform the method of any of the above embodiments.

This embodiment provides a hardware structure diagram of an electronic device. Referring to FIG. 6, the electronic device includes:

At least one processor 40, one processor 40 is taken as an example in FIG. 6; and a memory 50, which may further include a communication interface 60 and a bus 70. The processor 40, the communication interface 60, and the memory 50 can complete communication with each other through the bus 70. Communication interface 60 can transmit information. Processor 40 may invoke logic instructions in memory 50 to perform the methods of the above-described embodiments.

In addition, the logic instructions in the memory 50 described above may be implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as separate products, and may be stored in a computer readable storage medium.

The memory 50 is a computer readable storage medium and can be used to store software programs, computer executable programs, such as program instructions or modules corresponding to the methods in the above embodiments. The processor 40 executes the functional application and data processing by executing software programs, instructions or modules stored in the memory 50, i.e., implements the methods in the above embodiments.

The memory 50 may include a storage program area and an storage data area, wherein the storage program area may store an operating system, an application required for at least one function; the storage data area may store data created according to usage of the terminal device, and the like. Further, the memory 50 may include a high speed random access memory, and may also include a nonvolatile memory.

The above technical solution may be embodied in the form of a software product stored in a storage medium, including one or more instructions for causing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, a network device, etc.) to execute All or part of the steps of the method described in the above embodiments. The foregoing storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, including: a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk. A medium that can store program code, or a transitory storage medium.

Industrial applicability

The method and device for receiving electronic program guide information provided by the present disclosure add multiple EPG receiving threads in the background, improve the utilization of hardware resources, meet the requirement of quickly displaying program information when the user changes channels, and improve user satisfaction.

Claims

A method for receiving electronic program guide EPG information, comprising:

Setting a program list, and receiving EPG information of the current program when receiving the channel change command;

Determining whether the driver layer has free resources;

If the driver layer has idle resources, a new EPG service is created, wherein the EPG service is used to receive EPG information.
The method of claim 1 further comprising:

If the driver layer does not have idle resources, the process of creating the new EPG service is exited.
The method of claim 1 wherein said creating a new EPG service comprises:

EPG information of other frequency points different from the frequency point corresponding to the current program is received according to the set program list and the corresponding policy.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, after the creating a new EPG service, the method further comprises:

The EPG handle identifying the node corresponding to the current EPG service and the receiving thread, the player handle identifying the node corresponding to the player, and the connection pointer connecting the next EPG service are stored in the structure of each EPG service storage data.
The method of claim 4 further comprising:

Managing a multi-path EPG with a linked list structure, wherein each EPG occupies one node, the linked list structure includes a linked list header that identifies an entry of the entire linked list, and the linked list header includes a first one of the nodes pointing to the multi-path EPG The connection pointer of the node.
An apparatus for receiving EPG information, including:

Setting a module, set to set a program list, and receiving EPG information of the current program when receiving the channel change command;

a judging module configured to determine whether the driver layer has free resources;

A module is created, configured to create a new EPG service if the driver layer has idle resources, wherein the EPG service is configured to receive EPG information.
The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising:

The exit module is set to exit the process of creating the new EPG service if the drive layer does not have idle resources.
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the creation module is configured to:

EPG information of other frequency points different from the frequency point corresponding to the current program is received according to the set program list and the corresponding policy.
The apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8, further comprising:

After the storage module is configured to create a new EPG service, the EPG handle identifying the node corresponding to the current EPG service and the receiving thread, the player handle identifying the corresponding node of the player, and the connection handle connecting the next EPG service are stored to each EPG. The service stores the structure of the data.
The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising:

The linked list management module is configured to manage the multi-path EPG by using a linked list structure, wherein each EPG occupies one node, the linked list structure includes a linked list header that identifies an entry of the entire linked list, and the linked list header includes a node pointing to the multi-path EPG. The connection pointer of the first node of the node.
A computer readable storage medium storing computer executable instructions arranged to perform the method of any of claims 1-5.
An electronic device comprising:

At least one processor;

a memory communicatively coupled to the at least one processor; wherein

The memory stores instructions executable by the at least one processor, the instructions being executed by the at least one processor to cause the at least one processor to perform the method of any of claims 1-5.