Channel prediction method applied to channel switching and electronic device thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a channel prediction method applied to channel switching and an electronic device thereof. The channel prediction method applied to channel switching comprises the following steps: selecting a plurality of candidate prediction channels from a plurality of channels in a channel database and storing the candidate prediction channels in a prediction database; comparing the plurality of candidate prediction channels with a channel selected by a user to generate a comparison result; and selecting and storing a plurality of predicted channels in a channel buffer from the plurality of candidate predicted channels in the predicted database according to the comparison result.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to channel switching, and more particularly to a channel prediction method applicable to fast channel change (FCC) and an electronic device thereof. Background Art

[0002] Generally speaking, when a user performs fast channel switching to switch from one channel to another, the program content of the other channel is usually loaded into the memory of a processor only after switching to the other channel, which may cause delays and thus make the user's viewing experience poor. Therefore, a channel prediction method that can be applied to fast channel switching is highly desired, which can predict the next channel that the user wants to switch to and pre-load the program content of the predicted channel into the memory to speed up the speed of fast channel switching. Summary of the invention

[0003] Therefore, one of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a channel prediction method applicable to fast channel switching to solve the above-mentioned problem.

[0004] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a channel prediction method for channel switching is provided. The method comprises: selecting and storing a plurality of candidate prediction channels from a plurality of channels in a channel database in a prediction database; comparing the plurality of candidate prediction channels with a channel selected by a user to generate a comparison result; and selecting and storing a plurality of prediction channels from the plurality of candidate prediction channels in the prediction database in a channel buffer according to the comparison result.

[0005] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an electronic device for channel switching is provided. The electronic device includes a storage device and a processor, the storage device is used to store a program code, and the processor is used to load and execute the program code, wherein the program code instructs the processor to perform a channel prediction method for channel switching, and the channel prediction method includes: selecting and storing multiple candidate prediction channels from multiple channels in a channel database in a prediction database; comparing the multiple candidate prediction channels with a channel selected by a user to generate a comparison result; and selecting and storing multiple prediction channels from the multiple candidate prediction channels in the prediction database in a channel buffer according to the comparison result.

[0006] One of the benefits of the present invention is that, through the channel prediction method and related electronic devices of the present invention, the channel that the user wants to switch to next (such as the predicted channel) can be predicted and the program content of the predicted channel can be pre-loaded into the memory according to the predicted channel in the channel buffer. In this way, the speed of fast channel switching can be accelerated and the user's viewing experience can be greatly improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0008] Figure 2 FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a channel prediction method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] Figure 3 The channel control scheme among the channel database, the prediction database and the channel buffer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 4 The figure shows a channel control scheme among a channel database, a prediction database and a channel buffer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 5 The diagram is a channel control scheme among a channel database, a prediction database and a channel buffer according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 6 The fourth embodiment of the present invention is a channel control scheme among a channel database, a prediction database and a channel buffer.

[0013] Figure 7 According to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 2 An example of a channel prediction method is shown.

[0014] Figure 8 According to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 2 Another example of a channel prediction method is shown.

[0015] Explanation of symbols

[0016] 10: Electronic devices

[0017] 12: Processor

[0018] 14: Storage device

[0019] PROG: Program code

[0020] S202~S208: Steps

[0021] CH_DB: Channel database

[0022] PR_DB: Prediction Database

[0023] CB: Channel Buffer

[0024] CH1~CH10:Channel

[0025] CPCH_1~CPCH_4:Candidate prediction channels

[0026] PE1~PE3: prediction error channel

[0027] B1~B3: Buffer tank

[0028] PRE_CH: Pre-prediction channel

[0029] CUR_CH: Current forecast channel

[0030] NEX_CH: Post-prediction channel DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Figure 1 The electronic device 10 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. For example but not limited to, the electronic device 10 may be a television or a set-up box (STB). The electronic device 10 may include a processor 12 and a storage device 14. The processor 12 may be a single-core processor or a multi-core processor. The storage device 14 is used to store a program code PROG. The processor 12 has software execution capability, and the program code PROG may include a channel prediction algorithm. When loaded and executed by the processor 12, the program code PROG instructs the processor 12 to perform the channel prediction method proposed by the present invention to predict the channel that the user will switch to next. The electronic device 10 can be regarded as a computer system using a computer program product, wherein the computer program product includes a computer-readable medium having the program code PROG, that is, the channel prediction method proposed by the present invention can be implemented on the electronic device 10.

[0032] Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a channel prediction method according to an embodiment of the present invention. If the same result can be obtained, the steps do not have to be completely followed. Figure 2 The process shown is executed in sequence. For example, Figure 2 The channel prediction method shown can be Figure 1 The processor 12 is shown implemented by executing a channel prediction algorithm.

[0033] At the beginning, the processor 12 can download a channel database CH_DB (e.g., a channel list) from a broadcast operator through a network or an antenna, wherein the channel database CH_DB can include multiple channels CH_1 to CH_N, and N is a positive integer greater than one. The processor 12 can select at least one channel (e.g., one or more channels) from the channel database CH_DB as multiple candidate prediction channels CPCH_1 to CPCH_M, and store the candidate prediction channels CPCH_1 to CPCH_M in the prediction database PR_DB for subsequent processing (step S202), wherein M is a positive integer greater than one, and the number of candidate prediction channels CPCH_1 to CPCH_M can be adjusted according to design requirements. Each candidate preset channel in the candidate preset channels CPCH_1 to CPCH_M has its own prediction probability, and the preset prediction probability of each candidate preset channel is 0%. Next, the processor 12 may compare the candidate prediction channels CPCH_1~CPCH_M with the channel selected / watched by the user to generate a comparison result CR (step S204), and update multiple prediction probabilities of the candidate prediction channels CPCH_1~CPCH_M according to the comparison result CR to generate an updated result UR (step S206), wherein the updated result UR may indicate multiple updated prediction probabilities of the candidate prediction channels CPCH_1~CPCH_M.

[0034] Specifically, the prediction probability may be composed of four factors (e.g., factor A, factor B, factor C, and factor D), but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the number and type of factors may be adjusted according to the actual design. In the present embodiment, the four factors each account for 25% of the prediction probability. For example, for factor A, according to the comparison result CR indicating that the program type of any candidate prediction channel CPCH_1 to CPCH_M is the same as the program type of the channel selected / watched by the user, the prediction probability of any candidate prediction channel may be increased (e.g., increased by 25%). For factor B, according to the fact that any candidate prediction channel among the candidate prediction channels CPCH_1 to CPCH_M is located in the channel buffer CB, the prediction probability of any candidate prediction channel may be increased (e.g., increased by 25%). For factor C, according to the fact that the user can switch from the channel selected / watched by the user to any candidate prediction channel among candidate prediction channels CPCH_1 to CPCH_M by using the UP key, DOWN key, numeric key or RETURN key on a remote controller (e.g., a remote controller of the electronic device 10 (such as a TV or a set-top box)), the prediction probability of any candidate prediction channel can be increased (e.g., increased by 25%). For factor D, according to the fact that the dwell time (e.g., the user viewing time) corresponding to any candidate prediction channel among candidate prediction channels CPCH_1 to CPCH_M is less than or equal to the preset time, the prediction probability of any candidate prediction channel is not changed, and according to the fact that the dwell time corresponding to any candidate prediction channel is greater than the preset time, the prediction probability of any candidate prediction channel is increased. For example, the preset time can be 5 minutes, and another preset time (for example, 10 minutes) can be set. When the user watches any candidate prediction channel for less than or equal to 5 minutes, the prediction probability of any candidate prediction channel will not be changed. When the user watches any candidate prediction channel for more than 5 minutes and less than or equal to 10 minutes, the prediction probability of any candidate prediction channel will be increased by 12.5%. When the user watches any candidate prediction channel for more than 10 minutes, the prediction probability of any candidate prediction channel will be increased by 25%.

[0035] It should be noted that the prediction database PR_DB may also include at least one prediction error channel. For a candidate prediction channel among the candidate prediction channels CPCH_1 to CPCH_M, when the prediction fails (for example, the channel switched / watched by the user next time is not the candidate prediction channel), the candidate prediction channel may be regarded as a prediction error channel. When the candidate prediction channel is regarded as a prediction error channel, the processor 12 may reduce the prediction probability of the candidate prediction channel (for example, multiplying the preset probability by 1 / 2, 1 / 3, 1 / 4... and so on).

[0036] In addition, the processor 12 may select a plurality of prediction channels PCH_1-PCH_L from the candidate prediction channels CPCH_1-CPCH_M in the prediction database PR_DB according to the update result UR, and store the prediction channels PCH_1-PCH_L in the channel buffer CB (step S208), wherein the number of the prediction channels PCH_1-PCH_L may depend on the number of buffer slots of the channel buffer CB, for example, the channel buffer CB may have 3 buffer slots to store the prediction channels PCH_1-PCH_3 (L=3) respectively. In addition, the prediction probability of the prediction channels PCH_1-PCH_L is greater than or equal to the prediction probability of other candidate prediction channels in the candidate prediction channels CPCH_1-CPCH_M, that is, the user has a high probability of switching from the currently selected / watched channel to the prediction channels PCH_1-PCH_L in the channel buffer CB. For the channel prediction method of the present invention, the next channel that the user wants to switch to (i.e., predicted channels PCH_1-PCH_L) is predicted and the program contents of the predicted channels PCH_1-PCH_L are pre-loaded into the memory (e.g., Figure 1 In the storage device 14 shown, in this way, the speed of fast channel change (FCC) can be accelerated and thus the user's viewing experience can be greatly improved.

[0037] Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a channel control scheme among the channel database CH_DB, the prediction database PR_DB and the channel buffer CB according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the electronic device 10 is in the initialization stage. Figure 3 As shown, the channel database CH_DB may include 10 channels CH_1-CH_10 (ie, N=10), and the prediction database PR_DB may include 4 candidate prediction channels CPCH_1-CPCH_4 (ie, M=4; for simplicity, Figure 3In the example, the candidate prediction channels CPCH_1-CPCH_4 are marked as P1-P4 respectively) and three prediction error channels PE1-PE3. In addition, the channel buffer CB may include three buffer slots B1-B3 for storing the prediction channels PCH_1-PCH_3 (i.e., L=3), wherein the prediction channels PCH_1-PCH_3 may include the previous prediction channel PRE_CH, the current prediction channel CUR_CH and the next prediction channel NEX_CH. The buffer slot B1 corresponds to the previous prediction channel PRE_CH, the buffer slot B2 corresponds to the current prediction channel CUR_CH, the buffer slot B3 corresponds to the next prediction channel NEX_CH, and the prediction probability of the current prediction channel CUR_CH should be the highest. According to the electronic device 10 being in the initialization stage, channels CH_1 to CH_3 in the channel database CH_DB may be selected as a plurality of preset prediction channels (e.g., candidate prediction channels CPCH_1 to CPCH_3) and stored in the prediction database PR_DB, and the candidate prediction channels CPCH_1 to CPCH_3 in the prediction database PR_DB are directly stored in the channel buffer CB, for example, the candidate prediction channel CPCH_1 may be stored in the buffer slot B1 of the channel buffer CB as the previous prediction channel PRE_CH, the candidate prediction channel CPCH_2 may be stored in the buffer slot B2 of the channel buffer CB as the current prediction channel CUR_CH, and the candidate prediction channel CPCH_3 may be stored in the buffer slot B3 of the channel buffer CB as the next prediction channel NEX_CH. In addition, another channel (e.g., channel CH10) in the channel database CH_DB is selected as the candidate prediction channel CPCH_4.

[0038] Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a channel control scheme among a channel database CH_DB, a prediction database PR_DB and a channel buffer CB according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3Different from the channel control scheme shown, in this embodiment, the user switches from channel CH2 to channel CH3 (i.e., the channel currently selected / watched by the user is channel CH3) by using the down button on the remote control. In this case, the comparison result CR may indicate that the channel selected / watched by the user is the post-prediction channel (i.e., the candidate prediction channel CPCH_3), and the processor 12 may exchange the positions of the post-prediction channel NEX_CH and the current prediction channel CUR_CH in the channel buffer CB, that is, the data stream corresponding to the candidate prediction channel CPCH_2 in the prediction database PR_DB will be transmitted to the buffer slot B3 corresponding to the post-prediction channel NEX_CH in the channel buffer CB, and the data stream corresponding to the candidate prediction channel CPCH_3 in the prediction database PR_DB will be transmitted to the buffer slot B2 corresponding to the current prediction channel CUR_CH in the channel buffer CB. In some embodiments, the comparison result CR may indicate that the channel selected / watched by the user is the previous prediction channel PRE_CH (i.e., the candidate prediction channel CPCH_1; for example, the user switches from channel CH2 to channel CH1 by pressing the up key on the remote control), and the processor 12 may swap the positions of the previous prediction channel PRE_CH and the current prediction channel CUR_CH in the channel buffer CB. That is, the data stream corresponding to the candidate prediction channel CPCH_2 in the prediction database PR_DB will be transmitted to the buffer slot B1 corresponding to the previous prediction channel PRE_CH in the channel buffer CB, and the data stream corresponding to the candidate prediction channel CPCH_1 in the prediction database PR_DB will be transmitted to the buffer slot B2 corresponding to the current prediction channel CUR_CH in the channel buffer CB.

[0039] Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a channel control scheme among a channel database CH_DB, a prediction database PR_DB and a channel buffer CB according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3The difference from the channel control scheme shown is that in this embodiment, the user switches from channel CH2 to channel CH5 (i.e., the channel currently selected / watched by the user is channel CH5) by using a numeric key on the remote controller (e.g., numeric key 5 corresponding to channel CH5). In this case, the comparison result CR may indicate that the channel currently selected / watched by the user is not one of the predicted channels PCH_1-PCH_3 (i.e., the previous predicted channel PRE_CH, the current predicted channel CUR_CH, and the next predicted channel NEX_CH), and the processor 12 may regard the candidate predicted channels CPCH_1-CPCH_3 corresponding to the predicted channels PCH_1-PCH_3 in the prediction database PR_DB as the predicted error channels PE1-PE3 in the prediction database PR_DB, and use the channel currently selected / watched by the user (e.g., channel CH5), the previous channel of channel CH5 (i.e., channel CH4), and the next channel of channel CH5 (i.e., channel CH6) to replace the previous predicted channel PRE_CH, the current predicted channel CUR_CH, and the next predicted channel NEX_CH in the channel buffer CB, respectively. Specifically, when the candidate prediction channels CPCH_1~CPCH_3 are regarded as the predicted erroneous channels PE1~PE3, the processor 12 may respectively reduce the prediction probabilities of the candidate prediction channels CPCH_1~CPCH_3 (for example, multiplying their prediction probabilities by 1 / 2). It should be noted that if the user switches to other channels again and the candidate prediction channels CPCH_1~CPCH_3 are still regarded as the predicted erroneous channels PE1~PE3, the prediction probabilities of the candidate prediction channels CPCH_1~CPCH_3 may continue to be reduced (for example, multiplying their prediction probabilities by 1 / 3, 1 / 4, 1 / 5... and so on).

[0040] Figure 6 FIG. 4 is a channel control scheme among a channel database CH_DB, a prediction database PR_DB and a channel buffer CB according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3The difference between the channel control scheme shown is that in this embodiment, the user jumps back from channel CH2 to channel CH5 by using the jump key on the remote control. For example, when the channel the user previously watched was channel CH5 and the channel currently watched is channel CH2, the user can jump back from channel CH2 to channel CH5 by using the jump key on the remote control. In this case, the comparison result CR can indicate that the channel currently selected / watched by the user is not one of the predicted channels PCH_1 to PCH_3 (i.e., the previous predicted channel PRE_CH, the current predicted channel CUR_CH, and the next predicted channel NEX_CH), and the processor 12 can regard the candidate predicted channel CPCH_2 corresponding to the current predicted channel CUR_CH in the prediction database PR_DB as the predicted error channel PE1 in the prediction database PR_DB. Specifically, when the candidate prediction channel CPCH_2 is regarded as the prediction error channel PE1, the processor 12 can reduce the prediction probability of the candidate prediction channel CPCH_2 (for example, multiplying its prediction probability by 1 / 2). It should be noted that if the user switches to another channel again and the candidate prediction channel CPCH_2 is still regarded as the prediction error channel PE1, the prediction probability of the candidate prediction channel CPCH_2 can be continuously reduced (for example, multiplying its prediction probability by 1 / 3, 1 / 4, 1 / 5... and so on). Figure 5 Compared with the channel control scheme shown, Figure 6 The front prediction channel PRE_CH in the channel control scheme shown is channel CH1 instead of channel CH4, the rear prediction channel NEX_CH is channel CH3 instead of channel CH6, and only the candidate prediction channel CPCH_2 in the prediction database PR_DB is regarded as the prediction error channel PE1 in the prediction database PR_DB.

[0041] Table 1

[0042] Channels Program Type Buffer tank User habits Dwell time (minutes) CH1 sports B1 Down key 1 CH2 sports B2 Up key 6 CH3 Cartoon B3 Down key 0 CH4 Cartoon B1 Up key 0 CH5 news B2 Down key 1 CH6 news B3 Up key 10 CH7 animal B1 Jump key or number key 60 CH8 animal B2 Down key 40 CH9 drama B3 Up key 1 CH10 drama B1 Jump key or number key 5

[0043] Table 1 shows an example of a channel database CH_DB after the channel prediction method of the present invention is performed, wherein the channel database CH_DB includes 10 channels (e.g., channels CH1 to CH10), channels CH1 and CH2 have the same program type, channels CH3 and CH4 have the same program type, channels CH5 and CH6 have the same program type, channels CH7 and CH8 have the same program type, and channels CH9 and CH10 have the same program type. It should be noted that the original channel database CH_DB downloaded by the processor 12 from the broadcaster only has the first two columns in Table 1 (i.e., the channel column and the corresponding program type column), and the last three columns in Table 1 (i.e., the buffer slot column, the user habit column, and the stay time column) are the results calculated by the processor 12 each time the user switches channels and through the channel prediction algorithm, and the processor 12 will continuously update the results to the channel database CH_DB. For example, the buffer slot column may represent the buffer slot corresponding to the user switching from channel CH1 to CH10 in sequence, the user habit column may represent the behavior with the highest probability that the user will perform next after watching the channel after calculation and statistics by the channel prediction algorithm, and the dwell time column may represent the dwell time of the user watching / switching to the channel.

[0044] Figure 7 According to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 2An example of a channel prediction method is shown, wherein the channel database CH_DB includes 10 channels (e.g., channels CH1 to CH10), and the program type of each channel can refer to the above Table 1. In this embodiment, each time the user switches channels, the next round will be entered, and each round will calculate the prediction probability of the candidate prediction channel through the channel prediction algorithm. For the first round R1, assuming that the channel selected / watched by the user is channel CH2, and the electronic device 10 is in the initialization stage, according to the electronic device 10 being in the initialization stage, channels CH_1 to CH_3 in the channel database CH_DB can be selected as multiple preset prediction channels (e.g., candidate prediction channels CPCH_1 to CPCH_3) and stored in the prediction database PR_DB, and the candidate prediction channels CPCH_1 to CPCH_3 in the prediction database PR_DB are directly stored in the channel buffer CB. For the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_1, according to the comparison result CR indicating that the program type of candidate prediction channel CPCH_1 is the same as the program type of the channel selected / watched by the user (i.e., channel CH2) (factor A), the candidate prediction channel CPCH_1 is located in the channel buffer CB (factor B), and the user can switch from the channel selected / watched by the user (i.e., channel CH2) to the candidate prediction channel CPCH_1 (factor C) by pressing a button (e.g., the up button) on the remote control. For the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_2, according to the comparison result CR indicating that the program type of candidate prediction channel CPCH_2 is the same as the program type of the channel currently watched by the user (i.e., channel CH2) (factor A), and the candidate prediction channel CPCH_2 is located in the channel buffer CB (factor B), the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_2 can be 50% (25%+25%). As for the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_3, based on the fact that candidate prediction channel CPCH_3 is located in the channel buffer CB (factor B), and the user can switch from the channel selected / watched by the user (i.e., channel CH2) to candidate prediction channel CPCH_3 (factor C) through a button (e.g., the down button) on the remote control, the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_3 can be 50% (25%+25%).

[0045] Next, the user switches from channel CH2 to channel CH5 (i.e., the channel currently selected / watched by the user is channel CH5) by using the numeric key on the remote controller (e.g., numeric key 5 corresponding to channel CH5) to enter the second round R2, and the stay time corresponding to channel CH5 is less than 1 minute. For the second round R2, the processor 12 may select channel CH5 in the channel database CH_DB as the candidate prediction channel CPCH_5, and store the candidate prediction channel CPCH_5 in the prediction database PR_DB. At this time, the prediction database PR_DB includes candidate prediction channels CPCH_1 to CPCH_3 and CPCH_5. As for the prediction probability of the candidate prediction channel CPCH_5, according to the fact that the user can switch from the channel selected / watched by the user in the previous round (i.e., channel CH2) to the candidate prediction channel CPCH_5 by using the key on the remote controller (e.g., numeric key) (factor C), the prediction probability of the candidate prediction channel CPCH_5 may be 25%. In addition, when the user switches from channel CH2 to channel CH5 by using the numeric keys on the remote control, candidate prediction channels CPCH_1-CPCH_3 can be regarded as prediction error channels in the prediction database PR_DB, and the processor 12 can reduce the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_1 to 37.5% (75%*1 / 2); reduce the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_2 to 25% (50%*1 / 2); and reduce the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_3 to 25% (50%*1 / 2). According to the buffer slots B1-B3 of the channel buffer CB, the processor 12 can load / store the candidate prediction channels with the top three high prediction probabilities in the prediction database PR_DB into the channel buffer CB. It should be noted that when the channel currently selected / watched by the user (e.g., channel CH5) is different from the candidate prediction channels (e.g., candidate prediction channels CPCH_1, CPCH_2, and CPCH_3) last loaded into the prediction database PR_DB in the previous round (i.e., the prediction fails), the processor 12 will preferentially load the candidate prediction channel (i.e., candidate prediction channel CPCH_5) corresponding to the channel selected / watched by the user in this round (i.e., channel CH5) into the channel buffer CB. In addition, in this round, the processor 12 may also load the top two candidate prediction channels with the highest prediction probability in the prediction database PR_DB (e.g., candidate prediction channels CPCH_1 and CPCH_2) into the channel buffer CB.

[0046] The user switches from channel CH5 to channel CH6 (i.e., the channel currently selected / watched by the user is channel CH6) by pressing the down button on the remote control to enter the third round R3, and the stay time corresponding to channel CH6 is less than 1 minute. For the third round R3, the processor 12 can select channels CH4 and CH6 in the channel database CH_DB as candidate prediction channels CPCH_4 and CPCH_6, respectively, and store the candidate prediction channels CPCH_4 and CPCH_6 in the prediction database PR_DB. At this time, the prediction database PR_DB includes candidate prediction channels CPCH_1 to CPCH_6. As for the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_4, according to the fact that the user can switch from the channel selected / watched by the user in the previous round (i.e., channel CH5) to candidate prediction channel CPCH_4 by pressing a button on the remote control (e.g., the up button) (factor C), the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_4 can be 25%. For the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_5, according to the comparison result CR indicating that the program type of candidate prediction channel CPCH_5 is the same as the program type of the channel selected / watched by the user in the previous round (i.e., channel CH5) (factor A), and the candidate prediction channel CPCH_5 is located in the channel buffer CB (factor B), the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_5 can be 50% (25%+25%). For the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_6, according to the comparison result CR indicating that the program type of candidate prediction channel CPCH_6 is the same as the program type of the channel selected / watched by the user in the previous round (i.e., channel CH5) (factor A), and the user can switch from the channel selected / watched by the user in the previous round (i.e., channel CH5) to candidate prediction channel CPCH_6 by pressing a button on the remote control (e.g., the down button) (factor C), the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_6 can be 50% (25%+25%).

[0047] In addition, candidate prediction channels CPCH_1-CPCH_3 are still considered as prediction error channels in the prediction database PR_DB, therefore, the processor 12 can continuously reduce the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_1 to 37.5% (75%*1 / 3); reduce the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_2 to 16.7% (50%*1 / 3); and reduce the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_3 to 16.7% (50%*1 / 3). Then, the processor 12 can update the channel buffer CB to load the candidate prediction channels with the top three highest prediction probabilities in the prediction database PR_DB (i.e., candidate prediction channels CPCH_4-CPCH_6) into the channel buffer CB.

[0048] The user switches from channel CH6 to channel CH7 (i.e., the channel currently selected / watched by the user is channel CH7) by using the down button on the remote control to enter the fourth round R4, and the stay time corresponding to channel CH7 is greater than 10 minutes. For the fourth round R4, the processor 12 can select channel CH7 in the channel database CH_DB as the candidate prediction channel CPCH_7, and store the candidate prediction channel CPCH_7 in the prediction database PR_DB. At this time, the prediction database PR_DB includes candidate prediction channels CPCH_1 to CPCH_7. For the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_5, according to the comparison result CR indicating that the program type of candidate prediction channel CPCH_5 is the same as the program type of the channel selected / watched by the user in the previous round (i.e., channel CH6) (factor A), the candidate prediction channel CPCH_5 is located in the channel buffer CB (factor B), and the user can switch from the channel selected / watched by the user in the previous round (i.e., channel CH6) to the candidate prediction channel CPCH_5 (factor C) by pressing a button (e.g., the up button) on the remote control. The prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_5 can be 75% (25%+25%+25%). For the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_6, according to the comparison result CR indicating that the program type of candidate prediction channel CPCH_6 is the same as the program type of the channel selected / watched by the user in the previous round (i.e., channel CH6) (factor A), and the candidate prediction channel CPCH_6 is located in the channel buffer CB (factor B), the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_6 can be 50% (25%+25%). As for the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_7, based on the fact that the user can switch from the channel selected / watched in the previous round (i.e., channel CH6) to candidate prediction channel CPCH_7 (factor C) through a button (e.g., the down button) on the remote control, the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_7 can be 25%.

[0049] In addition, candidate prediction channels CPCH_1-CPCH_3 are still considered as prediction error channels in the prediction database PR_DB, therefore, the processor 12 can continuously reduce the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_1 to 18.8% (75%*1 / 4); reduce the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_2 to 12.5% ​​(50%*1 / 4); and reduce the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_3 to 12.5% ​​(50%*1 / 4); in addition, candidate prediction channel CPCH_4 can be considered as a prediction error channel in the prediction database PR_DB, and the processor 12 can reduce the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_4 to 12.5% ​​(25%*1 / 2). Then, the processor 12 can update the channel buffer CB to load the candidate prediction channels with the top three high prediction probabilities in the prediction database PR_DB (i.e., candidate prediction channels CPCH_5-CPH_7) into the channel buffer CB.

[0050] Figure 8 According to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 2 Another example of the channel prediction method is shown, wherein Figure 8 The example shown can be considered as Figure 7The subsequent operation of the example shown. The user switches from channel CH7 to channel CH8 (i.e., the channel currently selected / watched by the user is channel CH8) by pressing the down button on the remote control to enter the fifth round R5, and the stay time corresponding to channel CH8 is greater than 5 minutes and less than or equal to 10 minutes. For the fifth round R5, the processor 12 can select channel CH8 in the channel database CH_DB as the candidate prediction channel CPCH_8, and store the candidate prediction channel CPCH_8 in the prediction database PR_DB. At this time, the prediction database PR_DB includes candidate prediction channels CPCH_1 to CPCH_8. For the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_6, according to the fact that candidate prediction channel CPCH_6 is located in the channel buffer CB (factor B), and the user can switch from the channel selected / watched by the user in the previous round (i.e., channel CH7) to candidate prediction channel CPCH_6 by pressing a button on the remote control (e.g., the up button), the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_6 can be 50% (25%+25%). As for the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_7, according to the comparison result CR indicating that the program type of candidate prediction channel CPCH_7 is the same as the program type of the channel selected / watched by the user in the previous round (i.e., channel CH7) (factor A), the candidate prediction channel CPCH_7 is located in the channel buffer CB (factor B), and the residence time corresponding to the candidate prediction channel CPCH_7 is greater than 10 minutes (factor D), the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_7 can be 75% (25%+25%+25%). As for the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_8, according to the comparison result CR indicating that the program type of candidate prediction channel CPCH_8 is the same as the program type of the channel selected / watched by the user in the previous round (i.e., channel CH7) (factor A), and the user can switch from the channel selected / watched by the user in the previous round (i.e., channel CH7) to candidate prediction channel CPCH_8 (factor C) by pressing a button on the remote control (e.g., the down button), the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_8 can be 50% (25%+25%).

[0051] In addition, candidate prediction channels CPCH_1 to CPCH_4 are still regarded as prediction error channels in the prediction database PR_DB. Therefore, the processor 12 can continuously reduce the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_1 to 15% (75%*1 / 5); reduce the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_2 to 10% (50%*1 / 5); reduce the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_3 to 10% (50%*1 / 5); and reduce the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_4 to 8.3% (25%*1 / 3). In addition, candidate prediction channel CPCH_5 can be regarded as a prediction error channel in the prediction database PR_DB, and the processor 12 can reduce the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_5 to 37.5% (75%*1 / 2). Next, the processor 12 may update the channel buffer CB to load the candidate prediction channels with the top three highest prediction probabilities (ie, the candidate prediction channels CPCH_6 - CPCH_8 ) in the prediction database PR_DB into the channel buffer CB.

[0052] The user switches from channel CH8 to channel CH9 (i.e., the channel currently selected / watched by the user is channel CH9) by using the down button on the remote control to enter the sixth round R6, and the stay time corresponding to channel CH9 is less than 1 minute. For the sixth round R6, the processor 12 can select channel CH9 in the channel database CH_DB as the candidate predicted channel CPCH_9, and store the candidate predicted channel CPCH_9 in the prediction database PR_DB. At this time, the prediction database PR_DB includes candidate predicted channels CPCH_1 to CPCH_9. As for the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_7, according to the comparison result CR indicating that the program type of candidate prediction channel CPCH_7 is the same as the program type of the channel selected / watched by the user in the previous round (i.e., channel CH8) (factor A), the candidate prediction channel CPCH_7 is located in the channel buffer CB (factor B), and the user can switch from the channel selected / watched by the user in the previous round (i.e., channel CH8) to the candidate prediction channel CPCH_7 (factor C) through a button on the remote control (e.g., the up button), the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_7 can be 75% (25%+25%+25%). For the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_8, according to the comparison result CR indicating that the program type of candidate prediction channel CPCH_8 is the same as the program type of the channel selected / watched by the user in the previous round (i.e., channel CH8) (factor A), candidate prediction channel CPCH_8 is located in the channel buffer CB (factor B), and the residence time corresponding to candidate prediction channel CPCH_8 is greater than 5 minutes and less than or equal to 10 minutes (factor D), the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_7 can be 62.5% (25%+25%+12.5%). And for the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_9, according to the fact that the user can switch from the channel selected / watched by the user in the previous round (i.e., channel CH8) to candidate prediction channel CPCH_9 by pressing a button on the remote control (e.g., the down button) (factor C), the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_9 can be 25%.

[0053] In addition, candidate prediction channels CPCH_1 to CPCH_5 are still regarded as prediction error channels in the prediction database PR_DB. Therefore, the processor 12 can continuously reduce the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_1 to 12.5% ​​(75%*1 / 6); reduce the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_2 to 8.3% (50%*1 / 6); reduce the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_3 to 8.3% (50%*1 / 6); reduce the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_4 to 6.25% (25%*1 / 4); and reduce the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_5 to 25% (75%*1 / 3); in addition, candidate prediction channel CPCH_6 can be regarded as a prediction error channel in the prediction database PR_DB, and the processor 12 can reduce the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_6 to 25% (50%*1 / 2). Next, the processor 12 may update the channel buffer CB to load the candidate prediction channels with the top three highest prediction probabilities in the prediction database PR_DB into the channel buffer CB. It should be noted that when the prediction database PR_DB has multiple candidate prediction channels with the same prediction probability (e.g., candidate prediction channels CPCH_5, CPCH_6, and CPCH_9), the processor 12 will preferentially load the candidate prediction channel (i.e., candidate prediction channel CPCH_9) corresponding to the channel selected / watched by the user in this round (i.e., channel CH9) into the channel buffer CB. In the sixth round R6, the candidate prediction channels CPCH_7, CPCH_8, and CPCH_9 with the top three highest prediction probabilities in the prediction database PR_DB are loaded into the channel buffer CB.

[0054] The user switches from channel CH9 to channel CH3 by using the number keys on the remote control (e.g., number key 3 corresponding to channel CH3) to enter the seventh round R7, and then the user turns off the power of the electronic device 10. For the seventh round R7, the processor 12 may select channel CH10 in the channel database CH_DB as the candidate prediction channel CPCH_10, and store the candidate prediction channel CPCH_10 in the prediction database PR_DB. At this time, the prediction database PR_DB includes candidate prediction channels CPCH_1 to CPCH_10. For the prediction probability of the candidate prediction channel CPCH_9, according to the comparison result CR indicating that the program type of the candidate prediction channel CPCH_9 is the same as the program type of the channel selected / watched by the user in the previous round (i.e., channel CH9) (factor A), and the candidate prediction channel CPCH_9 is located in the channel buffer CB (factor B), the prediction probability of the candidate prediction channel CPCH_9 can be 50% (25%+25%). For the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_10, according to the comparison result CR indicating that the program type of candidate prediction channel CPCH_10 is the same as the program type of the channel selected / watched by the user in the previous round (i.e., channel CH9) (factor A), and the user can switch from the channel selected / watched by the user in the previous round (i.e., channel CH9) to candidate prediction channel CPCH_10 (factor C) by pressing a button on the remote control (e.g., down button), the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_10 can be 50% (25%+25%). And for the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_3, according to the fact that the user can switch from the channel selected / watched by the user in the previous round (i.e., channel CH9) to candidate prediction channel CPCH_3 by pressing a button on the remote control (e.g., numeric key) (factor C), the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_3 can be 25%.

[0055] In addition, candidate prediction channels CPCH_1-CPCH_2 and CPCH_4-CPCH_6 are still regarded as prediction error channels in the prediction database PR_DB. Therefore, the processor 12 can continuously reduce the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_1 to 10.7% (75%*1 / 7); reduce the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_2 to 7.14% (50%*1 / 7); reduce the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_4 to 5% (25%*1 / 5); reduce the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_5 to 10.7% (75%*1 / 7); reduce the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_6 to 10.7% (75%*1 / 7); reduce the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_7 to 10.7% (75%*1 / 7); reduce the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_8 to 10.7% (75%*1 / 7); reduce the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_9 to 10.7% (75%*1 / 7); reduce the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_10 to 10.7% (75%*1 / 7); reduce the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_11 to 10.7% (75%*1 / 7); reduce the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_12 to 10.7% (75%*1 / 7); reduce the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_13 to 10.7% (75%*1 / 7); reduce the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_14 to 10.7% (75%*1 / 7); reduce the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_15 to 10.7% (75%*1 / 7); reduce the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_16 to 10.7% (75%*1 / 7); reduce the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel CPCH_17 to 10.7% (75%*1 / 7); reduce the prediction probability of candidate prediction channel to 18.8% (75%*1 / 4); and the prediction probability of the candidate prediction channel CPCH_6 is reduced to 12.5% ​​(50%*1 / 4); in addition, the candidate prediction channels CPCH_7 and CPCH_8 can be regarded as prediction error channels in the prediction database PR_DB, and the processor 12 can reduce the prediction probability of the candidate prediction channel CPCH_7 to 37.5% (75%*1 / 2), and reduce the prediction probability of the candidate prediction channel CPCH_8 to 31.25% (62.5%*1 / 2). It should be noted that when the channel currently selected / watched by the user (e.g., channel CH3) is different from the candidate prediction channel (e.g., candidate prediction channels CPCH_7, CPCH_8, and CPCH_9) last loaded into the prediction database PR_DB in the previous round (i.e., prediction failed), even if the updated prediction probability (25%) of the candidate prediction channel CPCH_3 corresponding to channel CH3 is not one of the candidate prediction channels with the top three highest prediction probabilities in the prediction database PR_DB (i.e., candidate prediction channels CPCH_7 (37.5%), CPCH_9 (50%), and CPCH_10 (50%)), the processor 12 will preferentially load the candidate prediction channel (i.e., candidate prediction channel CPCH_3) corresponding to the channel selected / watched by the user in this round (i.e., channel CH3) into the channel buffer CB. Then, the processor 12 may also load the candidate prediction channels with the top two highest prediction probabilities in the prediction database PR_DB (i.e., candidate prediction channels CPCH_9 and CPCH_10) into the channel buffer CB.

[0056] In summary, through the channel prediction method and related electronic device of the present invention, the next channel that the user wants to switch to (i.e., predicted channels PCH_1~PCH_L) can be predicted and the program content of the predicted channels PCH_1~PCH_L can be pre-loaded into the memory according to the predicted channels PCH_1~PCH_L in the channel buffer CB. In this way, the speed of fast channel switching can be accelerated and thus the user's viewing experience can be greatly improved.

[0057] The above descriptions are only preferred embodiments of the present invention. All equivalent changes and modifications made according to the claims of the present invention should fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A channel prediction method for channel switching, comprising: Selecting and storing a plurality of candidate predicted channels from a plurality of channels in a channel database into a prediction database; comparing the plurality of candidate predicted channels with a channel selected by a user to generate a comparison result; and A plurality of predicted channels are selected from the plurality of candidate predicted channels in the prediction database according to the comparison result and stored in a channel buffer.

2. The channel prediction method of claim 1 , wherein the channel buffer comprises a previous prediction channel, a current prediction channel and a next prediction channel, and the step of selecting and storing the plurality of prediction channels in the channel buffer from the plurality of candidate prediction channels in the prediction database according to the comparison result comprises: swapping the positions of the previous predicted channel and the current predicted channel according to the comparison result indicating that the channel selected by the user is the previous predicted channel; and According to the comparison result indicating that the channel selected by the user is the subsequent predicted channel, the positions of the subsequent predicted channel and the current predicted channel are exchanged.

3. The channel prediction method of claim 1 , wherein the channel buffer comprises a previous prediction channel, a current prediction channel and a next prediction channel, and the step of selecting and storing the plurality of prediction channels in the channel buffer from the plurality of candidate prediction channels in the prediction database according to the comparison result comprises: According to the comparison result indicating that the channel selected by the user is not one of the multiple predicted channels, the channel selected by the user, the previous channel of the channel and the next channel of the channel are used to replace the previous predicted channel, the current predicted channel and the next predicted channel in the channel buffer respectively.

4. The channel prediction method of claim 1 , wherein the channel buffer comprises a previous prediction channel, a current prediction channel and a next prediction channel, and the step of selecting and storing the plurality of prediction channels in the channel buffer from the plurality of candidate prediction channels in the prediction database according to the comparison result comprises: According to the comparison result indicating that the channel selected by the user is not one of the multiple predicted channels, a candidate predicted channel corresponding to the current predicted channel in the prediction database is regarded as a predicted error channel in the prediction database, and the channel selected by the user is used to replace the current predicted channel in the channel buffer.

5. The channel prediction method of claim 1 , wherein the step of selecting and storing the plurality of predicted channels from the plurality of candidate predicted channels in the prediction database according to the comparison result into the channel buffer comprises: updating a plurality of prediction probabilities corresponding to the plurality of candidate prediction channels according to the comparison result to generate an updated result; and The plurality of predicted channels are selected from the plurality of candidate predicted channels in the prediction database according to the update result and stored in the channel buffer.

6. The channel prediction method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the step of updating the plurality of prediction probabilities of the plurality of candidate prediction channels according to the comparison result comprises: According to the comparison result indicating that the program type of any candidate prediction channel among the plurality of candidate prediction channels is the same as the program type of the channel selected by the user, a prediction probability of the any candidate prediction channel is increased.

7. The channel prediction method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the step of updating the plurality of prediction probabilities of the plurality of candidate prediction channels according to the comparison result comprises: According to any one of the plurality of candidate prediction channels being located in the channel buffer, a prediction probability of the any one of the candidate prediction channels is increased.

8. The channel prediction method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the step of updating the plurality of prediction probabilities of the plurality of candidate prediction channels according to the comparison result comprises: According to the fact that the user can switch from the channel selected by the user to any one of the multiple candidate prediction channels through an up key, a down key, a number key or a jump key on a remote control, a prediction probability of any one of the candidate prediction channels is increased.

9. The channel prediction method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the step of updating the plurality of prediction probabilities of the plurality of candidate prediction channels according to the comparison result comprises: According to a stay time corresponding to any one of the plurality of candidate prediction channels being less than or equal to a preset time, not changing a prediction probability of the any one of the plurality of candidate prediction channels; and According to the stay time corresponding to any one of the plurality of candidate prediction channels being greater than the preset time, the prediction probability of the any one of the candidate prediction channels is increased.

10. An electronic device for channel switching, comprising: a storage device for storing a program code; and A processor, configured to load and execute the program code, wherein the program code instructs the processor to: Selecting and storing a plurality of candidate predicted channels from a plurality of channels in a channel database into a prediction database; comparing the plurality of candidate predicted channels with a channel selected by a user to generate a comparison result; and A plurality of predicted channels are selected from the plurality of candidate predicted channels in the prediction database according to the comparison result and stored in a channel buffer.

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