Media streaming device and media streaming method

Abstract

A media streaming method and a media streaming device are disclosed. The media streaming device includes a power manager, a streaming processor and a voltage detector. The power manager receives a power signal from a media player device for powering the streaming processor. The streaming processor provides a media stream to the media player device for playing. The voltage detector is electrically coupled to the streaming processor and obtains at least a portion of the power current to the streaming processor. The streaming processor determines whether the power voltage is stable. When the power voltage is stable, the streaming processor operates in a first mode to provide the media stream. When the power voltage is unstable, the streaming processor operates in a second mode to provide the media stream, and the power consumption of the streaming processor in the second mode is lower than that in the first mode.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a media streaming technology, in particular, a media streaming device coupled with a media playing device to provide media streaming and a related media streaming method. BACKGROUND

[0002] In recent years, due to the booming development of network streaming technology, media streaming devices such as over-the-top set-top boxes (OTT STBs) or TV sticks have become the new mainstream of home audio-visual equipment. Through the form of video streaming, users can easily watch a variety of program channels through the network. For the convenience of use, users often directly plug the media streaming device into the TV for power supply and driving. However, when the media streaming device is running, the internal components may have a momentary high power consumption, and a large current power supply is needed, otherwise abnormality or error will occur. Therefore, how to design a new media streaming device and its streaming method is an important issue in the industry. SUMMARY

[0003] One embodiment of the present disclosure is a media streaming device, comprising a power manager, a streaming processor, and a voltage detector. The power manager is configured to receive a power signal from a media playing device. The power signal comprises a power current and a power voltage. The streaming processor is electrically connected to the power manager, configured to receive the power signal, and configured to provide media streaming to the media playing device for playing. The voltage detector is electrically connected to the streaming processor, configured to obtain at least a part of the power current to generate a detection signal to the streaming processor, and the streaming processor is configured to determine whether the power voltage is stable. When the power voltage is stable, the streaming processor operates in a first mode to provide the media streaming. When the power voltage is unstable, the streaming processor operates in a second mode to provide the media streaming, and the power consumption of the streaming processor operating in the second mode is lower than that operating in the first mode.

[0004] Another embodiment of the present disclosure is a media streaming method, comprising the following steps: receiving, by a power manager of a media streaming device, a power signal from a media playing device, wherein the power signal comprises a power current and a power voltage; driving a streaming processor of the media streaming device according to the power signal; determining, by a voltage detector of the media streaming device, whether the power voltage is stable when the streaming processor is started; controlling the streaming processor to operate in a first mode to provide media streaming when the power voltage is stable; and controlling the streaming processor to operate in a second mode to provide media streaming when the power voltage is unstable, wherein the power consumption of the streaming processor operating in the second mode is lower than that operating in the first mode.

[0005] Another embodiment of the present disclosure is a media streaming device, comprising a power manager, a streaming processor and a voltage detector. The power manager is configured to receive a power signal from a media player device. The power signal comprises a supply voltage. The streaming processor is electrically connected to the power manager and configured to receive the power signal and provide a media stream to the media player device for playing. The voltage detector is electrically coupled to the streaming processor and configured to detect the supply voltage received by the power manager to generate a detection signal to the streaming processor. The streaming processor is configured to determine whether the supply voltage is stable. When the supply voltage is stable, the streaming processor operates in a first mode to provide the media stream. When the supply voltage is unstable, the streaming processor operates in a second mode to provide the media stream, and the power consumption of the streaming processor in the second mode is lower than that in the first mode.

[0006] Accordingly, since the media streaming device can detect the power supply capability of the media player device and selectively control the streaming processor to operate in different modes, it can ensure that the media streaming device can normally operate with any specification of media player device and will not be abnormal or damaged. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a media streaming device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0008] Figure 2 A flowchart of a media streaming method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0009] LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

[0010] 100: media streaming device

[0011] 200: media player device

[0012] 110: power manager

[0013] 120: streaming processor

[0014] 130: voltage detector

[0015] 131: detection switch

[0016] 132: detection resistor

[0017] 140: power converter

[0018] 150: system on chip

[0019] PA: USB port

[0020] PB: multimedia port

[0021] P1: USB port

[0022] P2: multimedia port

[0023] S201-S205: steps DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Embodiments of the present application will be disclosed in the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. Numerous specific details will be set forth in the following description with the purpose to provide an overall understanding of the present application. It should be understood that these specific details are not to be regarded as limiting the present application. That is, in some embodiments of the present application, well-known structures and elements are not described in detail or are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present application.

[0025] In the present disclosure, when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it can be "directly connected or coupled" or "electrically connected or coupled" to the other element. "Connected" or "coupled" can also be used to indicate that two or more elements are in operative or communicative connection or interaction with each other. In addition, although the terms "first", "second", and so on are used herein to describe various elements, the terms are merely used to distinguish one element from another. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the terms do not necessarily imply or suggest a sequence or order, nor do they limit the present application.

[0026] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a media streaming device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. The media streaming device 100 is electrically connected to a media playback device 200 to provide media streaming to the media playback device 200. The media streaming device 100 can be implemented as an over-the-top set-top box (OTT STB) or a TV stick. The media playback device 120 can be implemented as a television or a screen.

[0027] The media streaming device 100 includes a power manager 110, a streaming processor 120, and a voltage detector 130. The power manager 110 is configured to receive a power signal from the media playback device 200 for powering the streaming processor 120. In some embodiments, the media streaming device 100 and the media playback device 200 each include a universal serial bus port (i.e., USB ports P1, P2), and the power manager 110 is electrically connected to the USB ports P1, P2 to receive the power signal. The power signal can include a power current and a power voltage.

[0028] The stream processor 120 is electrically connected to the power manager 110 and the media playing device 200 to receive the power signal and be driven, and to provide the media stream to the media playing device 200 for playing. The stream processor 120 can be implemented as a processing unit, a graphic processing unit, and a network communication unit such as a WiFi communication unit (not shown) to access the Internet, to connect to a remote server, to access media data including video and audio in the remote server, and to provide the media stream in the form of media stream to the media playing device 200 for playing after processing.

[0029] In some embodiments, the media stream device 100 and the media playing device 200 respectively include multimedia ports P2, PB corresponding to each other. The multimedia ports can be HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface). The stream processor 120 is electrically connected to the media playing device 200 through the multimedia ports P2, PB to provide the media stream. In other words, after the media stream device 100 is plugged into the media playing device 200, the media stream device 100 can simultaneously obtain the power signal and provide the media stream without the need of connecting an additional power supply through an additional power line.

[0030] The voltage detector 130 is electrically connected to the stream processor 120 and the USB port P1 (or the power manager 110) to obtain at least a part of the power supply current. The aforementioned "obtaining" means that when the voltage detector 130 is driven, the media stream device 100 will receive at least the obtained current from the media playing device 200. For example, if the media playing device 200 originally provides the power manager 110 with a current of 0.8 ampere through the USB port P1, and the voltage detector 130 is preset to obtain a current of 1 ampere, after the voltage detector 130 is driven, the media playing device 200 will provide the media stream device 100 with a current of 1 ampere through the USB port P1 (the operation mode of the voltage detector 130 will be described in detail in the following paragraphs).

[0031] According to the detection result, the voltage detector 130 generates a detection signal (such as a current value or a voltage value) to the stream processor 120 to enable the stream processor 120 to determine whether the power supply voltage is stable and to selectively operate in different modes. For example, when the power supply voltage is maintained stable, the stream processor 120 operates in a first mode to provide the media stream. When the power supply voltage is unstable, the stream processor 120 operates in a second mode to provide the media stream. The power consumption of the stream processor 120 when operating in the second mode is lower than that when operating in the first mode.

[0032] The current size drawn by the voltage detector 130 can be set, for example, to 0.5 ampere, 1 ampere, etc. In some embodiments, the current size drawn by the voltage detector 130 can vary over time. For example, the voltage detector 130 can initially draw 0.5 ampere, and then adjust the drawn current to 1 ampere if the supply voltage is stable.

[0033] Taking the media playback device 200 as an example of a television, some televisions are equipped with a USB port of USB 2.0 specification, which provides a supply voltage of 5 volts and a supply current of 0.5 ampere. However, when the media streaming device 100 is running, there can still be moments when higher current or voltage is needed. By detecting the supply capability of the media playback device 200, the media streaming device 100 can dynamically run in different modes, ensuring that it can normally provide media streaming to the media playback device 200, and can avoid problems such as instability, errors, and damage.

[0034] The aforementioned "first mode" can be a normal running state of the stream processor 120, and the "second mode" can be a low-power running state of the stream processor 120. In other words, when the stream processor 120 runs in the second mode, the functions or performance executed by the stream processor 120 will be relatively low. The stream processor 120 can provide media streaming to the media playback device 200 in both modes, but the quality of the media streaming is different (e.g., lower resolution or reduced signal transmission bandwidth).

[0035] As mentioned above, in an embodiment, when the stream processor 120 runs in the first mode, it provides media streaming at a first resolution. When the stream processor 120 runs in the second mode, it provides media streaming at a second resolution. The first resolution is greater than the second resolution.

[0036] In an embodiment, when the stream processor 120 runs in the first mode, it has a first clock speed, and when the stream processor 120 runs in the second mode, it has a second clock speed. The first clock speed is greater than the second clock speed.

[0037] In an embodiment, when the stream processor 120 runs in the first mode, it generates the media streaming according to a high dynamic range imaging (HDR) technique.

[0038] In other embodiments, when the stream processor 120 runs in the first mode, it can drive multiple antennas (not shown in the figure) of the media streaming device 100 to receive media data from a remote server. When the stream processor 120 runs in the second mode, it only drives some antennas and closes the rest of the antennas to receive media data, so as to reduce energy consumption.

[0039] The method by which the stream processor 120 determines whether the supply voltage is stable via the voltage detector 130 is explained below. Figure 1 As shown, in some embodiments, the voltage detector 130 includes a detection switch 131 and a detection resistor 132. The detection switch 131 may be a power switch connected in series with the detection resistor 132. The stream processor 120 is used to turn on the detection switch 131, causing the voltage detector 130 to form a current path to obtain at least a portion of the supply current. The magnitude of the obtained current will depend on the size of the detection resistor 132. In some embodiments, the detection resistor 132 may also be a variable resistor. When the voltage detector 130 is turned on, the stream processor 120 may determine whether the supply voltage in the power signal remains stable. For example, the stream processor 120 may determine whether the supply voltage remains above a voltage threshold (e.g., 5 volts) during a detection period to confirm whether the supply voltage is stable.

[0040] Continuing from the above, in some embodiments, the streaming processor 120 turns on the detection switch 131 when the power signal is just activated (i.e., when the media streaming device 100 is just connected to the media playback device 200) to determine whether the supply voltage remains stable via the voltage detector 130. The streaming processor 120 makes this determination based on the detection signal from the voltage detector 130, and the detection signal can be the supply current, the voltage signal from the voltage detector 130, or the voltage signal received by the power manager 110.

[0041] In other embodiments, the voltage detector 130 may also directly monitor changes in the supply voltage without acquiring the supply current. The voltage detector 130 is electrically connected to the contact of the power manager 110 that receives the power signal to continuously or periodically detect the supply voltage received by the power manager 110. During each detection, the stream processor 120 receives the voltage signal from the voltage detector 130 to determine whether the supply voltage remains above a voltage threshold (e.g., 5 volts) during a detection period. If so, the supply voltage is stable. If the supply voltage does not remain above the voltage threshold during the detection period, the supply voltage is unstable.

[0042] Figure 2 The diagram shows a flowchart of a media streaming method according to a partial embodiment of the present disclosure. In step S201, the media streaming device 100 is plugged into the media playback device 200. At this time, the power manager 110 receives the power signal provided by the media playback device 200 through USB ports P1 and PA.

[0043] In step S202, when the streaming processor 120 of the media streaming device 100 is activated according to the power signal, the streaming processor 120 drives the voltage detector 130 to detect the supply voltage of the power signal. Simultaneously, the streaming processor 120 can receive media audio and video through its internal wireless transmission module. In step S203, the streaming processor 120 determines whether the supply voltage is stable, for example, whether the supply voltage remains above a voltage threshold (e.g., 5 volts) during a detection period, or whether the fluctuation range of the supply voltage during a detection period exceeds a preset range.

[0044] As previously described, in one embodiment, the stream processor 120 can use the conduction detection switch 131 to cause the voltage detector 130 to draw at least a portion of the supply current (e.g., 0.5 amps, 1 amp), and determine whether the supply voltage of the power signal has undergone unstable changes under these conditions. In another embodiment, the voltage detector 130 can continuously or periodically monitor / detect the supply voltage received by the power manager 110, so that the stream processor 120 can determine whether the supply voltage remains stable.

[0045] If the supply voltage remains stably above the voltage threshold, in step S204, the streaming processor 120 operates in the first mode and provides media streaming through multimedia ports P2 and PB. If the supply voltage fails to remain stably above the voltage threshold, in step S205, the streaming processor 120 switches to the second mode and provides media streaming through multimedia ports P2 and PB. The power consumption of the streaming processor 120 in the second mode is lower than that in the first mode.

[0046] In addition, such as Figure 1 As shown, in some embodiments, the media streaming device 100 further includes a power converter 140. The power converter 140 is electrically connected between the power manager 110 and the streaming processor 120 to convert power signals to power specifications conforming to those of the streaming processor 120. In some embodiments, the power converter 140 and the streaming processor 120 may be housed in the same system-on-a-chip 150.

[0047] The elements, method steps, or technical features in the foregoing embodiments can be combined with each other, and are not limited to the order of textual description or the order of presentation of drawings in this disclosure.

[0048] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present disclosure. Any person skilled in the art may make various changes and modifications without departing from the concept and scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present disclosure shall be determined by the claims.

Claims

1. A media streaming device, comprising: a power manager configured to receive a power signal from a media player device, wherein the power signal comprises a supply current and a supply voltage; a streaming processor electrically connected to the power manager to receive the power signal and configured to provide a media stream to the media player device for playing; and a voltage detector electrically connected to the streaming processor and configured to obtain at least a portion of the supply current to generate a detection signal to the streaming processor, wherein the streaming processor is configured to determine whether the supply voltage is stable, and when the supply voltage is stable, the streaming processor operates in a first mode to provide the media stream, and when the supply voltage is unstable, the streaming processor operates in a second mode to provide the media stream, and the power consumption of the streaming processor in the second mode is lower than that in the first mode.

2. The media streaming device of claim 1, wherein the voltage detector further comprises a detection switch, and the streaming processor is configured to turn on the detection switch to determine whether the supply voltage is stable through the voltage detector, and when the streaming processor is activated according to the power signal, the detection switch is turned on, and the voltage detector is configured to determine whether the supply voltage remains higher than a voltage threshold during a detection period.

3. The media streaming device of claim 1, further comprising a universal serial bus port and a multimedia interface port, and the power manager is electrically connected to the universal serial bus port to receive the power signal, and the streaming processor is electrically connected to the multimedia interface port to provide the media stream to the media player device for playing.

4. A media streaming method, comprising: receiving, by a power manager of a media streaming device, a power signal from a media player device, wherein the power signal comprises a supply current and a supply voltage; driving a streaming processor of the media streaming device according to the power signal; determining, by a voltage detector of the media streaming device, whether the supply voltage is stable when the streaming processor is activated; controlling the streaming processor to operate in a first mode to provide a media stream when the supply voltage is stable; and controlling the streaming processor to operate in a second mode to provide the media stream when the supply voltage is unstable, wherein the power consumption of the streaming processor in the second mode is lower than that in the first mode.

5. The media streaming method of claim 4, wherein the method of determining whether the supply voltage is stable further comprises: detecting the supply voltage received by the power manager; and determining whether the supply voltage remains higher than a voltage threshold during a detection period.

6. The media streaming method of claim 4, wherein the method of determining whether the supply voltage is stable further comprises: obtaining at least a portion of the supply current to determine whether the supply voltage is stable; and turning on a detection switch in the voltage detector to obtain at least a portion of the supply current when the streaming processor is activated.

7. The media streaming method of claim 4, wherein the method of providing the media stream further comprises: receiving the power signal through a USB port of the media streaming device to drive the streamer; and providing the media stream through a multimedia interface port of the media streaming device to the media player.

8. A media streaming device, comprising: a power manager configured to receive a power signal from a media player, wherein the power signal comprises a supply voltage; a streamer electrically connected to the power manager and configured to receive the power signal and provide a media stream to the media player; and a voltage detector electrically coupled to the streamer and configured to detect the supply voltage received by the power manager to generate a detection signal to the streamer, wherein the streamer is configured to determine whether the supply voltage is stable, and when the supply voltage is stable, the streamer operates in a first mode to provide the media stream, and when the supply voltage is unstable, the streamer operates in a second mode to provide the media stream, and the streamer consumes less power when operating in the second mode than when operating in the first mode.

9. The media streaming device of claim 8, wherein the voltage detector is configured to detect the supply voltage continuously or periodically, and the streamer is configured to determine whether the supply voltage remains above a voltage threshold during a detection period.

10. The media streaming device of claim 8, further comprising a USB port and a multimedia interface port, the power manager is electrically connected to the USB port to receive the power signal, and the streamer is electrically connected to the multimedia interface port to provide the media stream to the media player.

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