A dual-ip-based set-top box data updating method and system

Abstract

The application provides a kind of set top box data updating method and system based on two-way ip in the technical field of set top box, method includes the following steps: step S10, after set top box starts, self-checking is carried out to input signal;Step S20, set top box pre-stores a slave ip address for linking the audio and video data of program, a master ip address for linking all program auxiliary data, and creates a first socket thread and a second socket thread;Step S30, set top box is based on the program search instruction received, calls the second socket thread based on master ip address and carries out program search operation;Step S40, set top box is based on the program play instruction received, calls the first socket thread based on slave ip address and carries out audio and video data acquisition and play, and maintains the second socket thread real-time acquisition auxiliary data.The application has the advantages that: greatly improve the real-time performance of data updating.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of set-top box technology, and in particular to a set-top box data update method and system based on dual-IP. Background Technology

[0002] When users use digital TV set-top boxes to search for and play programs, the program data primarily originates from the LNB (low-noise block downconverter) signal cable (closed-loop cable) or a network cable. Program data is distributed via program lists from the front-end broadcasting station, such as NIT (Network Instructions for TV) and PMT (Programmable Message List) lists. The set-top box parses these program lists to extract the necessary data for search and playback functions. While LNB signal cable technology is relatively mature in everyday set-top box development, when the LNB signal cable is damaged, a network cable must be used for searching and playing programs, i.e., searching and playing programs via IP mode.

[0003] IP mode actually evolved from the technology of LNB signal cables. Both achieve this by locking the primary frequency during program search and locking the frequency of the program during playback. The only difference is that IP mode replaces frequency points with IP addresses. However, there are some differences in data transmission between IP mode and LNB signal cables. In some regions, auxiliary data (program guide, time, date, etc.) for each program is transmitted to the primary IP address (primary frequency), while only the audio and video data of the program is transmitted to the secondary IP address to be played. However, traditional single-channel IP technology can only lock one IP address at a time. That is, it locks the secondary IP address when playing a program, and there is no auxiliary data on the secondary IP address. The traditional method is to lock the primary IP address when the set-top box is turned on and in standby mode, and secretly lock the primary IP address in the background to obtain auxiliary data when the user is not operating the set-top box. The traditional method has a major drawback: the auxiliary data cannot be updated in real time.

[0004] Therefore, how to provide a set-top box data update method and system based on dual-IP to improve the real-time performance of data updates has become an urgent technical problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a set-top box data update method and system based on dual-IP, so as to improve the real-time performance of data updates.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a set-top box data update method based on dual-IP, comprising the following steps:

[0007] Step S10: After the set-top box is powered on, it performs a self-test on the input signals;

[0008] Step S20: The set-top box pre-stores a slave IP address for linking audio and video data of the program, a master IP address for linking auxiliary data of all programs, and creates a first socket thread and a second socket thread.

[0009] Step S30: Based on the received program search command, the set-top box calls the second socket thread to perform a program search operation based on the main IP address;

[0010] Step S40: Based on the received program playback command, the set-top box calls the first socket thread to acquire and play audio and video data from the IP address, and maintains the second socket thread to acquire auxiliary data in real time.

[0011] Further, step S10 specifically includes:

[0012] After the set-top box is powered on, it determines whether the input signal path is a network cable or a tuner signal cable. If it is a network cable, it proceeds to step S20; if it is a tuner signal cable, it performs program search, program playback, and auxiliary data display based on the frequency point.

[0013] Furthermore, in step S20, the first socket thread is used to retrieve the audio and video data of the program from the IP address; the second socket thread is used for program searching and to retrieve auxiliary data of all programs from the main IP address.

[0014] Further, step S30 specifically includes:

[0015] After receiving the program search command, the set-top box determines whether there is already a searched program on the local machine. If so, it proceeds to step S40; otherwise, it calls the second socket thread to perform the program search operation based on the main IP address and pauses the first socket thread.

[0016] Further, in step S40, maintaining the second socket thread to acquire auxiliary data in real time specifically involves:

[0017] The second socket thread is kept running. The second socket thread filters the acquired data in real time based on the auxiliary data type, and only retains the auxiliary data.

[0018] Secondly, the present invention provides a set-top box data update system based on dual-IP, comprising the following modules:

[0019] The power-on self-test module is used to perform a self-test on the input signals after the set-top box is powered on.

[0020] The socket thread creation module is used by the set-top box to pre-store a slave IP address for audio and video data used to link programs, a master IP address for auxiliary data used to link all programs, and to create a first socket thread and a second socket thread.

[0021] The program search module is used by the set-top box to call the second socket thread to perform program search operations based on the main IP address, based on the received program search command.

[0022] The program playback module is used by the set-top box to call the first socket thread to acquire and play audio and video data from the IP address based on the received program playback command, and to maintain the second socket thread to acquire auxiliary data in real time.

[0023] Furthermore, the power-on self-test module is specifically used for:

[0024] After the set-top box is powered on, it determines whether the input signal path is a network cable or a tuner signal cable. If it is a network cable, it enters the socket thread creation module; if it is a tuner signal cable, it performs program search, program playback, and auxiliary data display based on the frequency point.

[0025] Furthermore, in the socket thread creation module, the first socket thread is used to retrieve the audio and video data of the program from the IP address; the second socket thread is used for program searching and to retrieve auxiliary data of all programs from the main IP address.

[0026] Furthermore, the program search module is specifically used for:

[0027] After receiving the program search command, the set-top box determines whether there is already a searched program on its local machine. If so, it enters the program playback module; otherwise, it calls the second socket thread to perform a program search operation based on the main IP address and pauses the first socket thread.

[0028] Furthermore, in the program playback module, maintaining the second socket thread to acquire auxiliary data in real time specifically involves:

[0029] The second socket thread is kept running. The second socket thread filters the acquired data in real time based on the auxiliary data type, and only retains the auxiliary data.

[0030] The advantages of this invention are:

[0031] 1. By pre-storing a secondary IP address for linking audio and video data to programs and a primary IP address for linking auxiliary data to all programs in the set-top box, and creating a first socket thread and a second socket thread, upon receiving a program search command, the second socket thread is called to perform a program search operation based on the primary IP address. Upon receiving a program playback command, the first socket thread is called to acquire and play audio and video data based on the secondary IP address, while maintaining the second socket thread to acquire auxiliary data in real time. That is, dual IP addresses (primary IP address and secondary IP address) are adopted, and the second socket thread is always in a working state. While playing programs, auxiliary data can be acquired in real time, which greatly improves the real-time performance of data updates.

[0032] 2. By pausing the first socket thread when calling the second socket thread to perform program search operations, the program search speed is prevented from being affected by the simultaneous operation of the two socket threads. Attached Figure Description

[0033] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0034] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of a set-top box data update method based on dual-IP according to the present invention.

[0035] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a set-top box data update system based on dual-IP according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0036] The technical solution in this application embodiment has the following general idea: a first socket thread is created to call and obtain the audio and video data of the program from the IP address, and a second socket thread is created to search for the program and call the main IP address to obtain the auxiliary data of all programs. The second socket thread is always in a working state, so that the program can obtain auxiliary data in real time while playing, thereby improving the real-time performance of data updates.

[0037] Please refer to Figures 1 to 2 As shown, a preferred embodiment of the set-top box data update method based on dual-IP of the present invention includes the following steps:

[0038] Step S10: After the set-top box is powered on, it performs a self-test on the input signals;

[0039] Step S20: The set-top box pre-stores a slave IP address for linking audio and video data of the program, a master IP address for linking auxiliary data of all programs, and creates a first socket thread and a second socket thread.

[0040] Step S30: Based on the received program search command, the set-top box calls the second socket thread to perform a program search operation based on the main IP address;

[0041] Step S40: Based on the received program playback command, the set-top box calls the first socket thread to acquire and play audio and video data from the IP address, and maintains the second socket thread to acquire auxiliary data in real time.

[0042] When a user performs an automatic program search, the first socket thread automatically pauses because the automatic IP search is to search for the main IP address (main frequency IP). This is because if two socket threads work simultaneously during the program search, it will affect the speed of the program search. Therefore, the first socket thread is automatically stopped to prevent some data unrelated to the program from being injected into the underlying demux during the search, which will affect the speed of the program search. When the user plays a program, the second socket thread is always working to continuously receive auxiliary data (program guide information, some dates, and CA descrambling related data) sent by the front-end broadcasting station.

[0043] Step S10 specifically involves:

[0044] After the set-top box is powered on, it determines whether the input signal path is a network cable or a tuner signal cable. If it is a network cable, it proceeds to step S20; if it is a tuner signal cable, it performs program search, program playback, and auxiliary data display based on the frequency point.

[0045] In step S20, the first socket thread is used to retrieve the audio and video data of the program from the IP address; the second socket thread is used for program search and to retrieve auxiliary data of all programs from the main IP address, i.e., for background monitoring.

[0046] Step S30 specifically involves:

[0047] After receiving the program search command, the set-top box determines whether there is already a searched program on the local machine. If so, it proceeds to step S40; otherwise, it calls the second socket thread to perform the program search operation based on the main IP address and pauses the first socket thread.

[0048] In step S40, maintaining the second socket thread to acquire auxiliary data in real time specifically means:

[0049] The second socket thread is kept running. The second socket thread filters the acquired data in real time based on the auxiliary data type, and only retains the auxiliary data.

[0050] Because the data sent by the front-end broadcasting station is constantly changing, it may send some data unrelated to the set-top box to the main IP address, or send some program audio and video data that would be sent on other IP addresses. This data is unnecessary. Once some junk data affects the set-top box's ability to parse and receive critical data, some unexpected problems will occur. Therefore, the data received from the main IP address is filtered, and only critical data is received. For example, the TS table sent for program guides is the EIT table, the CAT table sent for CA descrambling is the CAT table, and the TDT / TOT table sent for time and date is the TDT / TOT table. So when acquiring data, only these tables need to be received, and other useless tables are filtered out by using the PID of these tables.

[0051] A preferred embodiment of the set-top box data update system based on dual-IP of the present invention includes the following modules:

[0052] The power-on self-test module is used to perform a self-test on the input signals after the set-top box is powered on.

[0053] The socket thread creation module is used by the set-top box to pre-store a slave IP address for audio and video data used to link programs, a master IP address for auxiliary data used to link all programs, and to create a first socket thread and a second socket thread.

[0054] The program search module is used by the set-top box to call the second socket thread to perform program search operations based on the main IP address, based on the received program search command.

[0055] The program playback module is used by the set-top box to call the first socket thread to acquire and play audio and video data from the IP address based on the received program playback command, and to maintain the second socket thread to acquire auxiliary data in real time.

[0056] When a user performs an automatic program search, the first socket thread automatically pauses because the automatic IP search is to search for the main IP address (main frequency IP). This is because if two socket threads work simultaneously during the program search, it will affect the speed of the program search. Therefore, the first socket thread is automatically stopped to prevent some data unrelated to the program from being injected into the underlying demux during the search, which will affect the speed of the program search. When the user plays a program, the second socket thread is always working to continuously receive auxiliary data (program guide information, some dates, and CA descrambling related data) sent by the front-end broadcasting station.

[0057] The power-on self-test module is specifically used for:

[0058] After the set-top box is powered on, it determines whether the input signal path is a network cable or a tuner signal cable. If it is a network cable, it enters the socket thread creation module; if it is a tuner signal cable, it performs program search, program playback, and auxiliary data display based on the frequency point.

[0059] In the socket thread creation module, the first socket thread is used to retrieve the audio and video data of the program from the IP address; the second socket thread is used for program search and to retrieve auxiliary data of all programs from the main IP address, i.e., for background monitoring.

[0060] The program search module is specifically used for:

[0061] After receiving the program search command, the set-top box determines whether there is already a searched program on its local machine. If so, it enters the program playback module; otherwise, it calls the second socket thread to perform a program search operation based on the main IP address and pauses the first socket thread.

[0062] In the program playback module, maintaining the second socket thread to acquire auxiliary data in real time specifically means:

[0063] The second socket thread is kept running. The second socket thread filters the acquired data in real time based on the auxiliary data type, and only retains the auxiliary data.

[0064] Because the data sent by the front-end broadcasting station is constantly changing, it may send some data unrelated to the set-top box to the main IP address, or send some program audio and video data that would be sent on other IP addresses. This data is unnecessary. Once some junk data affects the set-top box's ability to parse and receive critical data, some unexpected problems will occur. Therefore, the data received from the main IP address is filtered, and only critical data is received. For example, the TS table sent for program guides is the EIT table, the CAT table sent for CA descrambling is the CAT table, and the TDT / TOT table sent for time and date is the TDT / TOT table. So when acquiring data, only these tables need to be received, and other useless tables are filtered out by using the PID of these tables.

[0065] In summary, the advantages of this invention are as follows:

[0066] 1. By pre-storing a secondary IP address for linking audio and video data to programs and a primary IP address for linking auxiliary data to all programs in the set-top box, and creating a first socket thread and a second socket thread, upon receiving a program search command, the second socket thread is called to perform a program search operation based on the primary IP address. Upon receiving a program playback command, the first socket thread is called to acquire and play audio and video data based on the secondary IP address, while maintaining the second socket thread to acquire auxiliary data in real time. That is, dual IP addresses (primary IP address and secondary IP address) are adopted, and the second socket thread is always in a working state. While playing programs, auxiliary data can be acquired in real time, which greatly improves the real-time performance of data updates.

[0067] 2. By pausing the first socket thread when calling the second socket thread to perform program search operations, the program search speed is prevented from being affected by the simultaneous operation of the two socket threads.

[0068] While specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above, those skilled in the art should understand that the specific embodiments described are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Equivalent modifications and variations made by those skilled in the art in accordance with the spirit of the present invention should be covered within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for updating set-top box data based on dual-IP, characterized in that: Includes the following steps: Step S10: After the set-top box is powered on, it performs a self-test on the input signals; Step S20: The set-top box pre-stores a slave IP address for linking audio and video data of programs and a master IP address for linking auxiliary data of all programs, and creates a first socket thread and a second socket thread; the first socket thread is used to call the slave IP address to obtain the audio and video data of the program. The second socket thread is used for program searching and calling the main IP address to obtain auxiliary data for all programs; Step S30: Based on the received program search command, the set-top box calls the second socket thread to perform a program search operation based on the main IP address; Step S40: Based on the received program playback command, the set-top box calls the first socket thread to acquire and play audio and video data from the IP address, and maintains the second socket thread to acquire auxiliary data in real time. Step S30 specifically involves: After receiving the program search command, the set-top box determines whether there is already a searched program on the local machine. If so, it proceeds to step S40; otherwise, it calls the second socket thread to perform the program search operation based on the main IP address and pauses the first socket thread.

2. The set-top box data update method based on dual-IP as described in claim 1, characterized in that: Step S10 specifically involves: After the set-top box is powered on, it determines whether the input signal path is a network cable or a tuner signal cable. If it is a network cable, it proceeds to step S20; if it is a tuner signal cable, it performs program search, program playback, and auxiliary data display based on the frequency point.

3. The set-top box data update method based on dual-IP as described in claim 1, characterized in that: In step S40, maintaining the second socket thread to acquire auxiliary data in real time specifically means: The second socket thread is kept running. The second socket thread filters the acquired data in real time based on the auxiliary data type, and only retains the auxiliary data.

4. A set-top box data update system based on dual-IP, characterized in that: Includes the following modules: The power-on self-test module is used to perform a self-test on the input signals after the set-top box is powered on. The socket thread creation module is used by the set-top box to pre-store a secondary IP address for linking audio and video data of the program, a primary IP address for linking auxiliary data of all programs, and to create a first socket thread and a second socket thread; the first socket thread is used to call the secondary IP address to obtain the audio and video data of the program. The second socket thread is used for program searching and calling the main IP address to obtain auxiliary data for all programs; The program search module is used by the set-top box to call the second socket thread to perform program search operations based on the main IP address, based on the received program search command. The program playback module is used by the set-top box to call the first socket thread to acquire and play audio and video data from the IP address based on the received program playback command, and to maintain the second socket thread to acquire auxiliary data in real time. The program search module is specifically used for: After receiving the program search command, the set-top box determines whether there is already a searched program on its local machine. If so, it enters the program playback module; otherwise, it calls the second socket thread to perform a program search operation based on the main IP address and pauses the first socket thread.

5. A set-top box data update system based on dual-IP as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The power-on self-test module is specifically used for: After the set-top box is powered on, it determines whether the input signal path is a network cable or a tuner signal cable. If it is a network cable, it enters the socket thread creation module; if it is a tuner signal cable, it performs program search, program playback, and auxiliary data display based on the frequency point.

6. The set-top box data update system based on dual-IP as described in claim 4, characterized in that: In the program playback module, maintaining the second socket thread to acquire auxiliary data in real time specifically means: The second socket thread is kept running. The second socket thread filters the acquired data in real time based on the auxiliary data type, and only retains the auxiliary data.

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