Channel switching method, system, apparatus, communication device and storage medium

Abstract

The application relates to a channel switching method, system, device, communication equipment and storage medium. The method comprises the following steps: in response to a channel switching request for switching to a target channel triggered by a channel switching terminal, acquiring a first message address carried in the channel switching request; in the case that the first message address represents that the channel switching terminal is a network television terminal, acquiring a network television private network IP address; converting the first message address into a second message address by using the network television private network IP address, forwarding the channel switching request containing the second message address to a channel switching server, receiving a unicast video stream and a network television private network receiving address corresponding to the unicast video stream from the channel switching server; converting the network television private network receiving address into a terminal receiving address matched with the first message address, and returning the unicast video stream to the channel switching terminal represented by the terminal receiving address. The method can simplify a channel switching service process and improve the performance of a home gateway.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of wireless communication and terminal technology, and in particular to a channel switching method, system, device, communication equipment, storage medium and computer program product. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of IPTV technology, FCC (Fast Channel Change) technology has emerged. However, because it requires routing and network address translation on the home gateway, it cannot support the FCC function of existing IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) terminals, resulting in a 1-2 second delay when switching channels for IPTV terminals accessed via a fully routed network.

[0003] Traditional solutions require the home gateway to intercept and analyze all RTCP (Realtime Transport Control Protocol) packets, read the RTP (Realtime Transport Protocol) ports of the unicast streams, and then configure the PAT (port address translation) conversion strategy, which puts a great strain on the performance of the home gateway. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a channel switching method, system, device, communication equipment, computer-readable storage medium, and computer program product that can alleviate the performance burden of home gateways in response to the above-mentioned technical problems.

[0005] Firstly, this application provides a channel switching method, including:

[0006] In response to a channel switching request triggered by a channel switching terminal for switching to a target channel, obtain the first message address carried in the channel switching request;

[0007] When the first message address indicates that the channel switching terminal is a network TV terminal, obtain the network TV private network IP address;

[0008] The IP address of the IP TV private network is used to convert the first message address into the second message address, and the channel switching request containing the second message address is forwarded to the channel switching server through the IP TV private network;

[0009] Receive from the channel switching server the unicast video stream matching the target channel based on the channel switching request, and the IPTV private network receiving address corresponding to the unicast video stream;

[0010] The IPTV private network receiving address is converted to a terminal receiving address that matches the first message address, and the unicast video stream is returned to the channel switching terminal represented by the terminal receiving address.

[0011] In one embodiment, the first message address carries the terminal IP address of the IPTV terminal and a first port number; converting the first message address to a second message address using the IP address of the IPTV private network includes:

[0012] Using the IP address of the IPTV private network, NAT translation is performed on the first packet address to convert the terminal IP address to the IP address of the IPTV private network, and the first port number is mapped to the corresponding second port number;

[0013] The IP address of the dedicated IP TV network and the second port number are combined to form the second message address.

[0014] In one embodiment, converting the private network receiving address for IPTV to a terminal receiving address that matches the first message address includes:

[0015] Obtain the terminal receiving port number from the IPTV private network receiving address;

[0016] The terminal receiving address is obtained based on the terminal IP address and the terminal receiving port number in the first message address.

[0017] In one embodiment, when the first message address indicates that the channel switching terminal is a network TV terminal, obtaining the network TV private network IP address includes:

[0018] Obtain the terminal IP address contained in the first message address, and obtain the terminal type label corresponding to the terminal IP address;

[0019] When the terminal type label indicates that the channel switching terminal is a network TV terminal, obtain the network TV private network IP address.

[0020] In one embodiment, before obtaining the terminal type tag corresponding to the terminal IP address, the method further includes:

[0021] In response to a host configuration request triggered by a channel switching terminal, configure the terminal IP address for the channel switching terminal;

[0022] When a service authentication operation is triggered by a terminal that receives a channel switching call, if the destination address of the service authentication operation matches the routing table of the private network for IPTV, a terminal type tag indicating that the terminal is a private network for IPTV is added to the terminal's IP address.

[0023] In one embodiment, upon receiving a unicast stop request from the channel switching terminal to stop receiving unicast video streams, the unicast stop request is forwarded to the channel switching server. The unicast stop request instructs the channel switching server to stop sending unicast video streams to the IPTV private network receiving address. The unicast stop request is triggered by the channel switching terminal after receiving the multicast video stream returned by the live stream server of the target channel.

[0024] In one embodiment, the unicast stop request includes a third message address, which carries the terminal IP address of the IPTV terminal and a third port number; before forwarding the unicast stop request to the channel switching server, it further includes:

[0025] Using the IP address of the IPTV private network, NAT translation is performed on the third packet address to convert the terminal IP address to the IP address of the IPTV private network and to map the third port number to the corresponding fourth port number;

[0026] The IP address of the IPTV private network and the fourth port number are combined to form the fourth message address, and the unicast stop request containing the fourth message address is forwarded to the channel switching server.

[0027] Secondly, this application also provides a channel switching system, including:

[0028] The channel switching terminal is used to send a channel switching request to the home gateway in response to the operation of switching to the target channel;

[0029] The home gateway is used to respond to a channel switching request triggered by a channel switching terminal for switching to a target channel, obtain the first message address carried in the channel switching request; if the first message address indicates that the channel switching terminal is a network TV terminal, obtain the network TV private network IP address; and use the network TV private network IP address to convert the first message address into a second message address, and forward the channel switching request containing the second message address to the channel switching server through the network TV private network.

[0030] The channel switching server is used to receive channel switching requests containing the second message address and send the unicast video stream that matches the target channel obtained based on the channel switching request to the network TV private network receiving address corresponding to the unicast video stream.

[0031] The aforementioned home gateway is also used to receive unicast video streams matching the target channel from the channel switching server, as well as the IPTV private network receiving address corresponding to the unicast video streams.

[0032] The aforementioned home gateway is also used to convert the IPTV private network receiving address into a terminal receiving address that matches the first message address, and to return the unicast video stream to the channel switching terminal represented by the terminal receiving address.

[0033] Thirdly, this application also provides a channel switching device, comprising:

[0034] The acquisition module is used to obtain the first message address carried in the channel switching request in response to a channel switching terminal triggering a channel switching request to switch to the target channel.

[0035] The parsing module is used to obtain the IP address of the private network for IPTV when the first message address indicates that the channel switching terminal is a network TV terminal.

[0036] The conversion module is used to convert the first packet address into the second packet address using the IP address of the IPTV private network, and forward the channel switching request containing the second packet address to the channel switching server through the IPTV private network;

[0037] The receiving module is used to receive from the channel switching server the unicast video stream that matches the target channel based on the channel switching request, as well as the IPTV private network receiving address corresponding to the unicast video stream.

[0038] The forwarding module is used to convert the IPTV private network receiving address into a terminal receiving address that matches the first message address, and to return the unicast video stream to the channel switching terminal represented by the terminal receiving address.

[0039] Fourthly, this application also provides a communication device, including a communication interface, a memory, and a processor. The memory stores a computer program, and the processor executes the computer program to perform the following steps:

[0040] In response to a channel switching request triggered by a channel switching terminal for switching to a target channel, obtain the first message address carried in the channel switching request;

[0041] When the first message address indicates that the channel switching terminal is a network TV terminal, obtain the network TV private network IP address;

[0042] The IP address of the IP TV private network is used to convert the first message address into the second message address, and the channel switching request containing the second message address is forwarded to the channel switching server through the IP TV private network;

[0043] Receive from the channel switching server the unicast video stream matching the target channel based on the channel switching request, and the IPTV private network receiving address corresponding to the unicast video stream;

[0044] The IPTV private network receiving address is converted to a terminal receiving address that matches the first message address, and the unicast video stream is returned to the channel switching terminal represented by the terminal receiving address.

[0045] Fifthly, this application also provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, performs the following steps:

[0046] In response to a channel switching request triggered by a channel switching terminal for switching to a target channel, obtain the first message address carried in the channel switching request;

[0047] When the first message address indicates that the channel switching terminal is a network TV terminal, obtain the network TV private network IP address;

[0048] The IP address of the IP TV private network is used to convert the first message address into the second message address, and the channel switching request containing the second message address is forwarded to the channel switching server through the IP TV private network;

[0049] Receive from the channel switching server the unicast video stream matching the target channel based on the channel switching request, and the IPTV private network receiving address corresponding to the unicast video stream;

[0050] The IPTV private network receiving address is converted to a terminal receiving address that matches the first message address, and the unicast video stream is returned to the channel switching terminal represented by the terminal receiving address.

[0051] Sixthly, this application also provides a computer program product, including a computer program that, when executed by a processor, performs the following steps:

[0052] In response to a channel switching request triggered by a channel switching terminal for switching to a target channel, obtain the first message address carried in the channel switching request;

[0053] When the first message address indicates that the channel switching terminal is a network TV terminal, obtain the network TV private network IP address;

[0054] The IP address of the IP TV private network is used to convert the first message address into the second message address, and the channel switching request containing the second message address is forwarded to the channel switching server through the IP TV private network;

[0055] Receive from the channel switching server the unicast video stream matching the target channel based on the channel switching request, and the IPTV private network receiving address corresponding to the unicast video stream;

[0056] The IPTV private network receiving address is converted to a terminal receiving address that matches the first message address, and the unicast video stream is returned to the channel switching terminal represented by the terminal receiving address.

[0057] The aforementioned channel switching method, system, device, communication equipment, storage medium, and computer program product identify the IPTV terminal through a first message, thereby obtaining the IPTV private network address. The IPTV private network address is then used to convert the first message address into a second message address. Upon receiving a request corresponding to the second message address, the IPTV private network receiving address is converted into a terminal receiving address using the conversion relationship between the first and second messages, thereby sending a unicast video stream to the terminal receiving address. Compared to traditional technologies that require the home gateway to intercept and analyze all messages to read the unicast video stream address and configure the conversion strategy, the aforementioned channel switching method first identifies the IPTV terminal and then performs address association conversion to implement the channel switching service, simplifying the channel switching service process and reducing the performance burden on the home gateway.

[0058] In addition, the channel switching method provided in this application enables automatic identification of network TV terminals and automatic association mapping of channel switching request data / unicast video stream packet ports through the home gateway. It can realize the FCC function of IPTV terminals such as IPTV soft terminals and light cloud boxes that are accessed through full routing. No FCC platform and FCC process modification is required. It can be applied to situations where FCC has been deployed in the existing network. The upgrade and maintenance workload is small and the applicability is high. Attached Figure Description

[0059] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments or related technologies of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments or related technologies will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0060] Figure 1 This is an application environment diagram of the channel switching method in one embodiment;

[0061] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating a channel switching method in one embodiment;

[0062] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the address and port number conversion process in a channel switching method in one embodiment;

[0063] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of obtaining the terminal receiving address in a channel switching method in one embodiment;

[0064] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of obtaining the IP address of the private network for network television in a channel switching method in one embodiment.

[0065] Figure 6This is a flowchart illustrating the process of adding a terminal type label in a channel switching method in one embodiment;

[0066] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating a channel switching method in a detailed embodiment;

[0067] Figure 8 This is a structural block diagram of a channel switching system in one embodiment;

[0068] Figure 9 This is a structural block diagram of a channel switching device in one embodiment;

[0069] Figure 10 This is an internal structural diagram of a communication device in one embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0070] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0071] The channel switching method provided in this application embodiment can be applied to, for example, Figure 1 In the application environment shown, the channel switching terminal 102 communicates with the home gateway 104 via a network, and the home gateway 104 communicates with the channel switching server 106. The channel switching terminal 102 can also communicate with the channel switching server 106 through the home gateway 104. The home gateway 104 can connect to other non-channel switching terminals, such as mobile phones, televisions, and set-top boxes. The home gateway 104 identifies the channel switching terminal through the first packet address in the channel switching request, thereby obtaining the corresponding home gateway's IP address on the dedicated IP network for IP TV. It then converts the first packet address into a second packet address using the dedicated IP address and forwards the channel switching request containing the second packet to the channel switching server 106. Upon receiving the unicast video stream and the corresponding dedicated IP network receiving address from the channel switching server, it converts the dedicated IP network receiving address into a terminal receiving address using the first packet address, so that the unicast video stream can be returned to the channel switching terminal 102 through the terminal receiving address.

[0072] In one embodiment, such as Figure 2 As shown, a channel switching method is provided, which can be applied to... Figure 1 Taking a home gateway as an example, the explanation includes the following steps S201 to S205. Wherein:

[0073] Step S201: In response to a channel switching request triggered by a channel switching terminal for switching to a target channel, obtain the first message address carried in the channel switching request.

[0074] In this context, the channel switching terminal can refer to various terminals that send channel switching requests, such as IPTV terminals, mobile phones, smart TVs, and internet multimedia devices. Some of these devices request the target video stream via the internet. An IPTV terminal can obtain the target channel video stream from an IPTV server via a dedicated IPTV network, or it can obtain other network video streams from other servers via the internet. The first message address refers to the source address of the message header in the channel switching request. The source address indicates the origin of the request and typically includes the terminal IP address of the channel switching terminal and the port number corresponding to the channel switching request. When the home gateway receives a channel switching request, it parses and obtains the source address of the message header in the request and uses it as the first message address.

[0075] Step S202: If the first message address indicates that the channel switching terminal is a network TV terminal, obtain the network TV private network IP address.

[0076] The home gateway obtains the terminal IP address and port number of the terminal issuing the channel switching request through the first message address. The first message address identifies the channel switching terminal as a network television terminal. This identification can be achieved by using the terminal IP address within the first message address. Optionally, the physical address information of the channel switching terminal can also be obtained through the first message address or other information retrieval paths of the channel switching terminal. Since physical addresses are unique, they can be used to mark or identify the terminal type. The network television private network IP address refers to the IP address representing the home gateway within the network television private network, obtained when the home gateway dials up for IPTV. When the channel switching terminal is identified as a network television terminal, the home gateway obtains its own IP address within the network television private network as its network television private network IP address. IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) is a technology that transmits video and audio content over an Internet Protocol (IP) network. It uses the Internet as the transmission medium to transmit television programs, movies, music, live video, and other content to users' televisions, computers, mobile phones, and other devices via IP networks for viewing. A private IPTV network is a network specifically established for IPTV services, used to transmit and distribute IPTV content. Compared to the traditional Internet, IPTV networks offer higher bandwidth, lower latency, and better service quality to meet the demands of large-scale high-definition video transmission and live streaming.

[0077] Step S203: Use the IP address of the IPTV private network to convert the first message address into the second message address, and forward the channel switching request containing the second message address to the channel switching server through the IPTV private network.

[0078] In the first message address, the IP address and port number represent information about the channel switching terminal. The IP address needs to be converted to the IP address of the home gateway in the IPTV private network to obtain the second message address. After the home gateway forwards the channel switching request, the server in the corresponding IPTV private network receives the channel switching request containing the second message address and can return the corresponding feedback data to the home gateway according to the IP address of the IPTV private network. The home gateway then returns the aforementioned feedback data to the corresponding terminal according to the aforementioned address conversion relationship.

[0079] Step S204: Receive from the channel switching server the unicast video stream matching the target channel obtained based on the channel switching request, and the network TV private network receiving address corresponding to the unicast video stream.

[0080] Unicast video streaming refers to a one-to-one communication method in a network that transmits video data from one sender to one receiver. In a unicast video stream, the sender divides the video data into a series of data packets and transmits them to the receiver over the network. The receiver receives and decodes these data packets sequentially and ultimately displays the video content. The channel switching server obtains the corresponding unicast video stream based on the target channel requested in the channel switching request. The IPTV private network address can be obtained directly by the channel server from the sending address of the channel switching request, or it can be obtained from the source address in the channel switching request, i.e., the second packet address. The channel server sends the unicast video stream to the IPTV private network receiving address via the IPTV private network.

[0081] Step S205: Convert the IPTV private network receiving address to a terminal receiving address that matches the first message address, and return the unicast video stream to the channel switching terminal represented by the terminal receiving address.

[0082] Since the IPTV private network receiving address represents the home gateway, while the first message address represents the channel switching terminal, the home gateway needs to convert the IPTV private network receiving address into a terminal receiving address that matches the first message address before it can send the unicast video stream to the final destination.

[0083] In the aforementioned channel switching method, the home gateway identifies the IPTV terminal through the first packet, thereby obtaining the IPTV private network address. It then uses the IPTV private network address to convert the first packet address into a second packet address. When the home gateway receives the IPTV private network receiving address corresponding to the request containing the second packet address, it uses the conversion relationship between the first and second packets to convert the IPTV private network receiving address into the terminal receiving address, thereby returning the unicast video stream to the terminal receiving address. Compared to traditional technologies that require the home gateway to intercept and analyze all packets to read the unicast video stream address and configure the conversion strategy, the aforementioned channel switching method first identifies the IPTV terminal and then performs address association conversion to implement the channel switching service, simplifying the channel switching service process and reducing the performance burden on the home gateway.

[0084] In addition, the channel switching method provided in this application enables automatic identification of network TV terminals and automatic association mapping of channel switching request data / unicast video stream packet ports through the home gateway. It can realize the FCC function of IPTV terminals such as IPTV soft terminals and light cloud boxes that are accessed through full routing. No FCC platform and FCC process modification is required. It can be applied to situations where FCC has been deployed in the existing network. The upgrade and maintenance workload is small and the applicability is high.

[0085] In one embodiment, such as Figure 3 As shown, the first message address carries the terminal IP address of the IPTV terminal and the first port number; the first message address is converted into a second message address using the IP address of the IPTV private network, including steps S302 to S304. Wherein:

[0086] Step S302: Using the IP address of the IPTV private network, perform NAT translation on the first packet address to convert the terminal IP address to the IP address of the IPTV private network, and map the first port number to the corresponding second port number.

[0087] NAT (Network Address Translation) is a technology that translates private network addresses into public network addresses to address the IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4) address shortage problem. In a home network, a private IP address can be mapped to a public IP address, establishing a one-to-one mapping relationship, allowing access from the public network. Alternatively, PAT (Port Address Translation), a dynamic NAT technology, can be used to map multiple private IP addresses to a single public IP address, distinguishing them by different port numbers. By performing network address translation on the first packet address, the terminal IP address in the first packet is mapped to the IP address of the dedicated IP network for IP television, establishing a one-to-one mapping relationship. This allows the channel-switching terminal that sends the channel-switching request containing the first packet to access various servers on the dedicated IP television network. Mapping the first port number to the corresponding second port number hides the real port number of the internal network.

[0088] Step S304: Combine the IP address of the private network for IPTV and the second port number to form the second message address.

[0089] Specifically, the IP address of the network television private network obtained by the corresponding mapping and the second port number after the corresponding mapping hides the real port number are combined to form the second message address.

[0090] In this embodiment, NAT technology is used for address translation and port number translation, which allows the channel switching terminal to send the channel switching request to the private network of the IPTV, so as to achieve the purpose of communicating with the channel switching server. The real port number is hidden by the translation mapping, which enhances the network security.

[0091] In one embodiment, such as Figure 4 As shown, converting the IPTV private network receiving address into a terminal receiving address that matches the first message address includes steps S402 to S404. Wherein:

[0092] Step S402: Obtain the terminal receiving port number from the IPTV private network receiving address.

[0093] Among them, the terminal receiving port number can refer to the destination port number that can send unicast video streams, obtained by the channel switching server after parsing the received channel switching request; the IPTV private network receiving address includes the IP address of the IPTV private network, which is represented as the home gateway, and the terminal receiving port number. The terminal receiving port number can be obtained.

[0094] Step S404: Obtain the terminal receiving address based on the terminal IP address and the terminal receiving port number in the first message address.

[0095] In the aforementioned embodiment, the terminal IP address in the first message address is mapped and converted to obtain the IP address of the private network for IP TV in the second message address. The terminal IP address in the first message address is the IP address of the channel switching terminal that issued the channel switching request, and the IP address in the private network for IP TV receiving address is the IP address of the private network for IP TV. Therefore, the terminal IP address corresponding to the private network for IP TV can be obtained according to the aforementioned mapping and conversion. Then, the terminal receiving address is formed by combining the aforementioned terminal receiving port number and the terminal IP address. The home gateway can forward the unicast video stream to the channel switching terminal through the terminal receiving address.

[0096] In this embodiment, the terminal receiving port number is obtained by parsing the IP address of the private network TV, and then the terminal IP address is obtained according to the mapping and conversion relationship of the first message address. This IP address is combined with the terminal receiving port number to form the terminal receiving address, so that the home gateway can return the unicast video stream to the channel switching terminal through the terminal receiving address. The terminal receiving address is obtained quickly by using the address conversion relationship, which reduces the request processing and forwarding time.

[0097] In one embodiment, such as Figure 5 As shown, when the first message address indicates that the channel switching terminal is a network TV terminal, the IP address of the network TV private network is obtained, including steps S502 to S504.

[0098] in:

[0099] Step S502: Obtain the terminal IP address contained in the first message address, and obtain the terminal type label corresponding to the terminal IP address.

[0100] The terminal type label can be applied only to IPTV terminals, or terminals can be categorized into multiple types, each with a different label. Terminal IP addresses are typically assigned by the home gateway and are unique, allowing for a one-to-one correspondence with the terminal type. Optionally, labels can be added to terminals using their unique physical address information.

[0101] Step S504: When the terminal type label indicates that the channel switching terminal is a network TV terminal, obtain the network TV private network IP address.

[0102] Specifically, the IP address of the dedicated IP address for the IP TV is only obtained when the terminal type label is the label of the IP TV terminal.

[0103] In this embodiment, the network TV terminal is identified by the terminal type label. If it is a network TV terminal, the network TV private network IP address can be obtained, which can reduce the steps of resolution requests and directly determine whether it is necessary to obtain the network TV private network IP address, thus improving the processing efficiency of the home gateway.

[0104] In one embodiment, such as Figure 6 As shown, before obtaining the terminal type tag corresponding to the terminal IP address, steps S602 to S604 are included. Wherein:

[0105] Step S602: In response to the host configuration request triggered by the channel switching terminal, configure the terminal IP address for the channel switching terminal.

[0106] When the home gateway receives a host configuration request from the channel switching terminal, it will assign a unique terminal IP address to the channel switching terminal.

[0107] Step S604: Receive the service authentication operation triggered by the channel switching terminal. If the destination address of the service authentication operation matches the routing table of the private network for IPTV, add a terminal type tag representing the IPTV terminal to the terminal IP address.

[0108] In this process, service authentication refers to a terminal sending an authentication request to an IPTV service provider. This request typically includes the user's identity information and device information. The IPTV service provider's authentication server verifies the terminal's request, checking the validity of the information provided. If the verification is successful, the terminal gains access to the IPTV service. The IPTV private network routing table is a table that guides data packet transmission within the network. It contains routing information related to the IPTV private network, allowing verification of whether the destination address matches a specific address within the network. If the destination address of the service authentication operation matches the IPTV private network routing table, it indicates that the channel-switching terminal issuing the authentication request is an IPTV terminal. Therefore, a terminal type tag can be added to the terminal's IP address. Optionally, a IPTV terminal whitelist can be created, adding IP addresses identifying IPTV terminals to the whitelist for subsequent terminal type identification.

[0109] In this embodiment, the destination address of the service authentication operation is verified by using the IPTV private network routing table. This can quickly confirm whether the channel switching terminal that triggered the service authentication operation is an IPTV terminal, thereby adding a terminal type tag for the channel switching terminal to facilitate subsequent terminal type identification and improve terminal type identification efficiency.

[0110] In one embodiment, upon receiving a unicast stop request from a channel switching terminal to stop receiving unicast video streams, the unicast stop request is forwarded to the channel switching server. The unicast stop request instructs the channel switching server to stop sending unicast video streams to the IPTV private network receiving address. The unicast stop request is triggered by the channel switching terminal after receiving the multicast video stream returned by the live stream server of the target channel.

[0111] In multicast video streaming, the data source sends data packets to a specific multicast group address instead of sending them individually to each receiver. Receivers use the same multicast group address to join the multicast group and receive data packets from the data source. Data packets only need to be transmitted once in the network and then shared by multiple receivers. When a channel switching terminal responds to a switch to a target channel, it simultaneously sends a request to both the channel switching server and the live stream server. After responding to the request, the channel switching server can quickly return a unicast video stream to the channel switching terminal to reduce the latency of switching to the target channel. After the live stream server responds to the request and sends a more commonly used and less resource-intensive multicast video stream to the channel switching terminal, the channel switching terminal switches to the multicast video stream for playback and triggers a unicast stop request, causing the channel switching server to stop sending the unicast video stream.

[0112] In this embodiment, after receiving the multicast video stream, switching to multicast playback and promptly stopping the transmission of the unicast video stream can reduce resource consumption caused by long-term unicast video stream transmission, ensure channel switching response rate, and reduce resource consumption.

[0113] In one embodiment, the unicast stop request includes a third message address, which carries the terminal IP address of the IPTV terminal and a third port number. Before forwarding the unicast stop request to the channel switching server, the method further includes: using the IPTV private network IP address to perform NAT translation on the third message address, converting the terminal IP address to the IPTV private network IP address, and mapping the third port number to the corresponding fourth port number; combining the IPTV private network IP address and the fourth port number to form a fourth message address, and forwarding the unicast stop request containing the fourth message address to the channel switching server.

[0114] In this embodiment, the third message address is converted into a fourth message address containing the IP address of ...

[0115] In a detailed embodiment, the channel switching method flows as follows: Figure 7 As shown, it specifically includes:

[0116] The home gateway dials up to the Internet and IPTV, and obtains a private IP address for IPTV (10.131.49.229).

[0117] When the IPTV terminal (network TV terminal) is powered on, it connects to the home gateway and sends a DHCP request. The home gateway assigns an IP address (192.168.1.10). The IPTV terminal then performs IPTV service authentication by requesting the IPTV service server to perform the authentication operation. The home gateway determines that the destination address of the authentication operation matches the IPTV routing table and sends the authentication operation through the IPTV private network. After successful authentication, the IPTV service server sends the addresses of the FCC server (channel switching server), the live stream server, and authentication success feedback, thus completing the authentication process. Because the home gateway determines that the destination address of the authentication operation matches the IPTV routing table, it marks this terminal (10.131.49.229) as an IPTV terminal.

[0118] DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is a network protocol used to automatically assign IP addresses and other network configuration information to computers, devices, or end users.

[0119] When a user switches channels or enters a live channel, the IPTV terminal sends IGMP LEAVE and JOIN commands to the live stream server, and the home gateway forwards these commands using IGMP snooping. The IPTV terminal also sends an FCC RTCP channel switching request (RTCP port 5005). Upon receiving the FCC RTCP channel switching request, the home gateway identifies the terminal as an IPTV terminal based on its IP address, retrieves the RTCP packet from the request, obtains the source address (192.168.1.10:5005) in the packet header, performs NAT (PAT) translation, and associates the result with the terminal receiving port number that triggered the RTP unicast video stream (RTP port 5004).

[0120] PAT 192.168.1.10:5005→10.131.49.229:15015

[0121] PAT 192.168.1.10:5004→10.131.49.229:5004

[0122] The home gateway translates the source address of the packet header to 10.131.49.229:15015, matches the IPTV routing table based on the destination address, and forwards the RTCP packet with the translated source address to the FCC server via the IPTV private network. The FCC server receives the RTCP FCC request packet sent from 10.131.49.229, obtains the terminal receiving port number 5004 for the unicast video stream from the FCC Client Port of the FCI in the packet, and obtains the IPTV private network receiving address 10.131.49.229:5004 based on 10.131.49.229 and 5004, and sends the unicast video stream to it.

[0123] Among them, RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol); RTCP (

[0124] RTP (Real-time Transport Control Protocol); the RTP port number is equal to the RTCP port number minus one.

[0125] IGMP (Internet Group Management Protocol) is a protocol used for multicast management in IP networks. IGMP LEAVE is an IGMP leave message sent by a host or router to notify routers in the network that a host or multicast group member wishes to leave (unjoin) a multicast group. IGMP JOIN is an IGMP join message sent by a host or router to notify routers in the network that a host or multicast group member wishes to join a multicast group. IGMP snooping (Internet Group Management Protocol Snooping) is a multicast constraint mechanism running on Layer 2 devices, used to manage and control multicast groups. FCI (Flow Control Information) is a mechanism used to control the rate of traffic transmission. FCI information includes the version number, the multicast address of the target channel, the multicast port of the target channel, and the client port number for receiving FCC unicast video streams; FCC Client Port is the client port number for receiving FCC unicast video streams.

[0126] When the home gateway receives a unicast video stream from the FCC server, it forwards it to 192.168.1.10:5004 according to the PAT conversion rule 192.168.1.10:5004→10.131.49.229:5004. The IPTV terminal receives the unicast video stream and plays it unicast. When the IPTV terminal receives an IGMP multicast video stream, it switches to multicast playback and sends an FCC STOP message to the FCC server.

[0127] It should be understood that although the steps in the flowcharts of the above embodiments are shown sequentially according to the arrows, these steps are not necessarily executed in the order indicated by the arrows. Unless explicitly stated herein, there is no strict order restriction on the execution of these steps, and they can be executed in other orders. Moreover, at least some steps in the flowcharts of the above embodiments may include multiple steps or multiple stages. These steps or stages are not necessarily completed at the same time, but can be executed at different times. The execution order of these steps or stages is not necessarily sequential, but can be performed alternately or in turn with other steps or at least some of the steps or stages of other steps.

[0128] Based on the above-described channel switching method, the present invention also provides a channel switching system, and the embodiments of the channel switching system of the present invention will be described in detail below.

[0129] See Figure 8 , Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a channel switching system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the channel switching system includes: a channel switching terminal 801, a home gateway 802, and a channel switching server 803, wherein:

[0130] Channel switching terminal 801 is used to send a channel switching request to the home gateway in response to the operation of switching to the target channel.

[0131] The home gateway 802 is used to respond to a channel switching request triggered by a channel switching terminal for switching to a target channel, obtain the first message address carried in the channel switching request; if the first message address indicates that the channel switching terminal is a network TV terminal, obtain the network TV private network IP address; and use the network TV private network IP address to convert the first message address into a second message address, and forward the channel switching request containing the second message address to the channel switching server through the network TV private network.

[0132] The channel switching server 803 is used to receive a channel switching request containing a second message address, and to send the unicast video stream that matches the target channel obtained based on the channel switching request to the network TV private network receiving address corresponding to the unicast video stream.

[0133] The home gateway 802 is also used to receive unicast video streams matching the target channel from the channel switching server, as well as the IPTV private network receiving address corresponding to the unicast video streams.

[0134] The home gateway 802 is also used to convert the IPTV private network receiving address into a terminal receiving address that matches the first message address, and to return the unicast video stream to the channel switching terminal represented by the terminal receiving address.

[0135] Specific limitations regarding the channel switching system can be found in the corresponding limitations of the channel switching method described above, and will not be repeated here. Each module in the aforementioned channel switching system can be implemented entirely or partially through software, hardware, or a combination thereof. These modules can be embedded in the processor of the computer device in hardware form or independent of it, or stored in the memory of the computer device in software form, so that the processor can call and execute the corresponding operations of each module.

[0136] Based on the same inventive concept, this application also provides a channel switching device for implementing the channel switching method described above. The solution provided by this device is similar to the solution described in the above method; therefore, the specific limitations in one or more channel switching device embodiments provided below can be found in the limitations of the channel switching method described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0137] In one embodiment, such as Figure 9 As shown, a channel switching device 900 is provided, including: an acquisition module 901, a parsing module 902, a conversion module 903, a receiving module 904, and a forwarding module 905, wherein:

[0138] The acquisition module 901 is used to obtain the first message address carried in the channel switching request in response to a channel switching request triggered by the channel switching terminal for switching to the target channel.

[0139] The parsing module 902 is used to obtain the IP address of the private network for IPTV when the first message address indicates that the channel switching terminal is a network TV terminal.

[0140] The conversion module 903 is used to convert the first packet address into a second packet address using the IP address of the IPTV private network, and forward the channel switching request containing the second packet address to the channel switching server through the IPTV private network.

[0141] The receiving module 904 is used to receive from the channel switching server the unicast video stream that matches the target channel based on the channel switching request, and the network TV private network receiving address corresponding to the unicast video stream.

[0142] The forwarding module 905 is used to convert the IPTV private network receiving address into a terminal receiving address that matches the first message address, and to return the unicast video stream to the channel switching terminal represented by the terminal receiving address.

[0143] In one embodiment, the conversion module is further configured to use the IP address of the private network for IP television to perform NAT translation on the first packet address, convert the terminal IP address to the IP address of the private network for IP television, and map the first port number to the corresponding second port number; and combine the IP address of the private network for IP television and the second port number to form the second packet address.

[0144] In one embodiment, the forwarding module is further configured to obtain the terminal receiving port number from the IP address of the private network television network; and to obtain the terminal receiving address based on the terminal IP address and the terminal receiving port number in the first message address.

[0145] In one embodiment, the parsing module is further configured to obtain the terminal IP address contained in the first message address, and to obtain the terminal type label corresponding to the terminal IP address; and to obtain the IP address of the private network for the network television when the terminal type label indicates that the channel switching terminal is a network television terminal.

[0146] In one embodiment, the parsing module is further configured to configure a terminal IP address for the channel switching terminal in response to a host configuration request triggered by the channel switching terminal; receive a service authentication operation triggered by the channel switching terminal; and, if the destination address of the service authentication operation matches the routing table of the private network for network television, add a terminal type tag representing the network television terminal to the terminal IP address.

[0147] In one embodiment, the channel switching device further includes a stop module, which is used to forward the unicast stop request to the channel switching server when a unicast stop request for stopping receiving unicast video streams is received from the channel switching terminal. The unicast stop request is used to instruct the channel switching server to stop sending unicast video streams to the IPTV private network receiving address. The unicast stop request is triggered by the channel switching terminal after receiving the multicast video stream returned by the live stream server of the target channel.

[0148] In one embodiment, the aforementioned stop module is further configured to use the IP address of the IP TV private network to perform NAT translation on the third packet address, convert the terminal IP address to the IP address of the IP TV private network, and map the third port number to the corresponding fourth port number; combine the IP address of the IP TV private network and the fourth port number to form the fourth packet address, and forward the unicast stop request containing the fourth packet address to the channel switching server.

[0149] Each module in the aforementioned channel switching device can be implemented entirely or partially through software, hardware, or a combination thereof. These modules can be embedded in the processor of the communication device in hardware form or independent of it, or stored in the memory of the communication device in software form, so that the processor can call and execute the corresponding operations of each module.

[0150] In one embodiment, a communication device is provided, which may be a terminal, and its internal structure diagram may be as follows: Figure 10 As shown, the communication device includes a processor, memory, input / output (I / O) interfaces, and a communication interface. The processor, memory, and I / O interfaces are connected via a system bus, and the communication interface is also connected to the system bus via the I / O interfaces. The processor provides computing and control capabilities. The memory includes non-volatile storage media and internal memory. The non-volatile storage media stores the operating system, computer programs, and a database. The internal memory provides the environment for the operating system and computer programs in the non-volatile storage media to run. The database stores converted data or other data generated during processing requests. The I / O interfaces are used for exchanging information between the processor and external devices. The communication interface is used for communicating with external terminals via a network connection. When executed by the processor, the computer program implements a channel switching method.

[0151] Those skilled in the art will understand that Figure 10 The structure shown is merely a block diagram of a portion of the structure related to the present application and does not constitute a limitation on the communication device to which the present application is applied. Specific communication devices may include more or fewer components than those shown in the figure, or combine certain components, or have different component arrangements.

[0152] In one embodiment, a communication device is also provided, including a communication interface, a memory, and a processor. The memory stores a computer program, and the processor executes the computer program to implement the steps in the above method embodiments.

[0153] In one embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium is provided having a computer program stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, implements the steps in the above method embodiments.

[0154] In one embodiment, a computer program product is provided, including a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the steps in the above method embodiments.

[0155] It should be noted that the user information (including but not limited to user device information, user personal information, etc.) and data (including but not limited to data used for analysis, data stored, data displayed, etc.) involved in this application are all information and data authorized by the user or fully authorized by all parties, and the collection, use and processing of the relevant data must comply with relevant regulations.

[0156] Those skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the processes in the methods of the above embodiments can be implemented by a computer program instructing related hardware. The computer program can be stored in a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium, and when executed, it can include the processes of the embodiments of the above methods. Any references to memory, databases, or other media used in the embodiments provided in this application can include at least one of non-volatile and volatile memory. Non-volatile memory can include read-only memory (ROM), magnetic tape, floppy disk, flash memory, optical memory, high-density embedded non-volatile memory, resistive random access memory (ReRAM), magnetic random access memory (MRAM), ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM), phase change memory (PCM), graphene memory, etc. Volatile memory can include random access memory (RAM) or external cache memory, etc. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM can take many forms, such as Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) or Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM). The databases involved in the embodiments provided in this application may include at least one type of relational database and non-relational database. Non-relational databases may include, but are not limited to, blockchain-based distributed databases. The processors involved in the embodiments provided in this application may be general-purpose processors, central processing units, graphics processing units, digital signal processors, programmable logic devices, quantum computing-based data processing logic devices, etc., and are not limited to these.

[0157] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0158] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementation methods of this application, and while the descriptions are specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of this patent application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this application, and these all fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this application should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A channel switching method, characterized in that, Applied to a home gateway, the method includes: In response to a channel switching request triggered by a channel switching terminal for switching to a target channel, the first message address carried in the channel switching request is obtained; If the first message address indicates that the channel switching terminal is a network TV terminal, the network TV private network IP address is obtained; the first message address carries the terminal IP address of the network TV terminal. The first packet address is converted to a second packet address using the IP address of the dedicated network TV, and the channel switching request containing the second packet address is forwarded to the channel switching server through the dedicated network TV; wherein, when the first packet address is converted to the second packet address using the IP address of the dedicated network TV, the terminal receiving port number conversion of the unicast video stream is triggered in association, and the conversion rule of the terminal receiving port number conversion of the unicast video stream is obtained. The channel switching server receives the unicast video stream matching the target channel, obtained based on the channel switching request, and the network TV private network receiving address corresponding to the unicast video stream; the network TV private network receiving address is obtained by the channel switching server based on the network TV private network IP address of the home gateway and the terminal receiving port number, and the terminal receiving port number is the destination port number for sending the unicast video stream obtained by the channel switching server after parsing the received channel switching request; Obtain the terminal receiving port number from the dedicated network TV receiving address; based on the terminal IP address in the first message address, the terminal receiving port number, and the conversion rule, obtain the terminal receiving address, and return the unicast video stream to the channel switching terminal represented by the terminal receiving address.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first message address also carries the first port number of the network television terminal; the step of converting the first message address into a second message address using the network television private network IP address includes: Using the IP address of the dedicated network for IP TV, NAT translation is performed on the first packet address to convert the terminal IP address to the dedicated network for IP TV, and the first port number is mapped to the corresponding second port number; The IP address of the private network for network television and the second port number are combined to form the second message address.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the first message address indicates that the channel switching terminal is a network TV terminal, obtaining the network TV private network IP address includes: Obtain the terminal IP address contained in the first message address, and obtain the terminal type tag corresponding to the terminal IP address; If the terminal type label indicates that the channel switching terminal is a network TV terminal, obtain the network TV private network IP address.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, Before obtaining the terminal type tag corresponding to the terminal IP address, the method further includes: In response to a host configuration request triggered by the channel switching terminal, configure a terminal IP address for the channel switching terminal; Upon receiving the service authentication operation triggered by the channel switching terminal, if the destination address of the service authentication operation matches the routing table of the private network for IPTV, a terminal type tag representing the IPTV terminal is added to the terminal IP address.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The method further includes: Upon receiving a unicast stop request from the channel switching terminal to stop receiving unicast video streams, the unicast stop request is forwarded to the channel switching server. The unicast stop request instructs the channel switching server to stop sending unicast video streams to the IPTV private network receiving address. The unicast stop request is triggered by the channel switching terminal after receiving a multicast video stream returned by the live stream server of the target channel.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The unicast stop request includes a third message address, which carries the terminal IP address of the network TV terminal and a third port number; before forwarding the unicast stop request to the channel switching server, it also includes: Using the IP address of the dedicated network for IP TV, NAT translation is performed on the third packet address to convert the terminal IP address to the dedicated network for IP TV and to map the third port number to the corresponding fourth port number; The IP address of the private network for IP TV and the fourth port number are combined to form the fourth message address, and the unicast stop request containing the fourth message address is forwarded to the channel switching server.

7. A channel switching system, characterized in that, The system includes a channel switching terminal, a home gateway, and a channel switching server, wherein: The channel switching terminal is used to send a channel switching request to the home gateway in response to the operation of switching to the target channel; The home gateway is configured to respond to a channel switching request triggered by a channel switching terminal for switching to a target channel, obtain a first message address carried in the channel switching request; if the first message address indicates that the channel switching terminal is a network TV terminal, obtain a network TV private network IP address; and use the network TV private network IP address to convert the first message address into a second message address, and forward the channel switching request containing the second message address to the channel switching server through the network TV private network; the first message address carries the terminal IP address of the network TV terminal; wherein, when using the network TV private network IP address to convert the first message address into the second message address, the terminal receiving port number conversion of the unicast video stream is triggered in association, and the conversion rule for the terminal receiving port number conversion of the unicast video stream is obtained; The channel switching server is configured to receive a channel switching request containing the second message address, and send the unicast video stream matching the target channel obtained based on the channel switching request to the network TV private network receiving address corresponding to the unicast video stream; the network TV private network receiving address is obtained according to the network TV private network IP address of the home gateway and the terminal receiving port number; the terminal receiving port number is the destination port number for sending the unicast video stream obtained after parsing the received channel switching request; The home gateway is also used to receive from the channel switching server a unicast video stream matching the target channel, and the network TV private network receiving address corresponding to the unicast video stream. The home gateway is further configured to obtain the terminal receiving port number from the IPTV private network receiving address, obtain the terminal receiving address based on the terminal IP address in the first message address, the terminal receiving port number and the conversion rule, and return the unicast video stream to the channel switching terminal represented by the terminal receiving address.

8. A channel switching device, characterized in that, The device includes: The acquisition module is used to acquire the first message address carried in the channel switching request in response to a channel switching terminal triggering a channel switching request to switch to a target channel. The parsing module is used to obtain the IP address of the private network for the network television when the first message address indicates that the channel switching terminal is a network television terminal; the first message address carries the terminal IP address of the network television terminal. The conversion module is used to convert the first packet address into a second packet address using the IP address of the dedicated network TV network, and forward the channel switching request containing the second packet address to the channel switching server through the dedicated network TV network; wherein, when converting the first packet address into the second packet address using the IP address of the dedicated network TV network, the conversion of the terminal receiving port number of the unicast video stream is triggered in association, and the conversion rules for the conversion of the terminal receiving port number of the unicast video stream are obtained. The receiving module is configured to receive from the channel switching server a unicast video stream matching the target channel, obtained based on the channel switching request, and a network TV private network receiving address corresponding to the unicast video stream; the network TV private network receiving address is obtained by the channel switching server based on the network TV private network IP address of the home gateway and the terminal receiving port number, and the terminal receiving port number is the destination port number for sending the unicast video stream obtained by the channel switching server after parsing the received channel switching request; The forwarding module is used to obtain the terminal receiving port number from the IPTV private network receiving address; obtain the terminal receiving address according to the terminal IP address in the first message address, the terminal receiving port number and the conversion rule, and return the unicast video stream to the channel switching terminal represented by the terminal receiving address.

9. A communication device, comprising a communication interface, a memory, and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program, characterized in that, When the processor executes the computer program, it implements the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

10. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that, When the computer program is executed by a processor, it implements the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

11. A computer program product, comprising a computer program, characterized in that, When the computer program is executed by a processor, it implements the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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